[Courrier International, France]

 

 

Le Figaro, France

At the G-8, a Monumental American Gaffe

 

"In a White House press kit, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is described as 'a political dilettante who gained high office only through use of his considerable influence on the national media. … One of the most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for governmental corruption and vice.'"

 

By Julie Connan

 

Translated By Sandrine Ageorges

 

July 9, 2008

 

France - Le Figaro - Original Article (French)

In a White House press kit, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is described as “a political dilettante who gained high office only through use of his considerable influence on the national media.” discomfort.

 

If George W. Bush counted on the last G-8 Summit of his mandate to boost his popularity on the international scene, he missed his chance. According to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Serra, the American president has come close to creating a diplomatic incident with Italy.

 

President Bush emerges from a meeting with Russian

President Dmitry Medvedev and Italian Prime Minister

Silvio Berlusconi [right], at the G-8 summit on July 9.

 

In a biography of Silvio Berlusconi, distributed on Air Force One by the White House to journalists accompanying the American president, one could read a less than conventional portrait of the U.S. Caveliere [knight]: “One of the most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for governmental corruption and vice ...”

 

When Bush travels abroad, the White House generally distributes press kits with an overview of the itinerary, information about the places the President will be visiting and the people he'll be meeting.

 

THE 'INSULTING WORDS'

 

"Berlusconi," part of the four-page text reads, "is regarded by many as a political dilettante who gained his high office only through use of his considerable influence on the national media until he was forced out of office in 2006 … hated by many but respected by all, at least for his bella figura (personal style) and the sheer force of his will, Berlusconi has parlayed his business acumen and influence into a personal empire that has resulted in Italy's longest-running government ever and in his becoming the country's wealthiest man."

 

In the evening, Tony Fratto, an aide to President Bush, issued a printed apology. “A biography of Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi included in the press package, used language that is insulting both to Prime Minister Berlusconi and to the Italian people. The sentiments expressed in the biography do not represent the views of President Bush, the American government, or the American people." He added, “We apologize to Italy and to the Prime Minister for this very unfortunate mistake.” 

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

The White House apparently used Berlusconi’s bio from the World Encyclopedia of Biographies .

 

Silvio Berlusconi, invited by the American leader to his Texas ranch in 2003, has accepted the apology. And he suggested that the Italian media had hyped the importance of the issue. “Italy is a country that loves to flagellate itself and make itself look bad.”

 

CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US July 10, 3:35pm]