Sarkozy blames UK press for Brown criticism

THE Elysée Palace has blamed the UK press for twisting the words of Nicolas Sarkozy after he criticised the work of Gordon Brown and the UK economy.

In a statement issued by the French Embassy in London, President Sarkozy 'deplored the way his comments on the British economy were reported in the United Kingdom'.

During a 90 minute televised interview last week Nicolas Sarkozy said that Gordon Brown's reduction of VAT had not worked, and that the UK had concentrated on the service and financial sector instead of manufacturing, leaving it more open to difficulties.

However, the International Herald Tribune reports that a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit revealed that industry made up 14.5 per cent of France's gross domestic product in 2006 while Britain's industry represented 17 per cent of its GDP that year.

I would imagine both sides of the Channel hope that the 'misunderstanding' quickly blows away.

The full statement from the Elysée Palace reads:

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic

Paris, 10 February 2009

The Elysée has contacted Downing Street to confirm to Prime Minister Gordon Brown that President Sarkozy deplored the way his comments on the British economy were reported in the United Kingdom.

President Sarkozy reiterated his huge personal respect for Mr Gordon Brown, and in particular for the catalyst role he played in framing a common response to the crisis we are currently going through. Moreover, President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Brown have worked together closely to help develop a European response to a global economic crisis.

France and the United Kingdom are acting in pursuit of the same goal: last October both countries adopted the necessary measures to recapitalize their banking systems and took the decision to use additional budgetary spending to stimulate their economies, thereby rejecting the argument of those who think we should do nothing and simply wait for the recession to end.

France and the United Kingdom are now working closely together on the next stage of our joint response: restoring credit to individuals and businesses. President Sarkozy has confirmed how eager he is to continue working closely with Prime Minister Brown in the coming months and years.

Comments

[Parisgirl]

Oh please...let's shoot the messenger, why not?

Those who heard Mr Sarkozy's interview will know that the British press did not simply invent or imagine his criticism of Gordon Brown's handling of the economic crisis.

How many ways can Mr Sarkozy's promise that he will "ne reproduira pas les erreurs de Gordon Brown" (not reproduce Gordon Brown's mistakes) be interpreted?

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Parisgirl, it's not the first and won't be the last time that the press get the blame, it's an easy target I suppose.
All the best, Craig

[Parisgirl]

Thank you Craig, you inspired me!
http://redwhiteandbleu.blogspot.com/2009/02/twist-and-shout.html
Best