Sarkozy calls Netanyahu a "liar". Obama agrees.

[Martim Silva]

http://news.yahoo.com/sarkozy-overheard-telling-obama-netanyahus-liar-122734120.html

In the remarks Thursday in Cannes, Sarkozy said: "Netanyahu, I can't stand him. He's a liar."

According to the French interpreter, Obama responded: "You are sick of him, but I have to work with him every day."

I wounder what Peres would have said, had he been present? 

Still, everybody knows that the israeli premier is not truly commited to the peace process with the Palestinians.

Which makes the US opposition to the recognition of Palestine at the UN a clear demonstration that America is not at all impartial (but Washington still keeps trying to be accepted as an arbitrator between both sides, which is laughable).

[Viking]

What does Sarkozy think Netanyahu lied about?

Calling somebody a liar is pretty specific.

[Berkut]

If that was Obama's response, then I think we can safely conclude that the OP is the liar.

[Razgovory]

I'm confused.  The title claims that Obama agrees with the characterization of Netanyahu as a liar, but the article doesn't support that.  Or even suggest that.  It does suggest that Obama doesn't like Netanyahu, which is understandable.  Bibi has intentionally embarrassed Obama for reasons unfathomable.  Probably because he is an ass.

[DGuller]

If that was Obama's response, then I think we can safely conclude that the OP is the liar.

You are sick of him, but I have to read his posts every day.

[Berkut]

If that was Obama's response, then I think we can safely conclude that the OP is the liar.

You are sick of him, but I have to read his posts every day.

I am glad you agree with me.

[Sheilbh]

I don't know if this is surprising.  As Jeffrey Goldberg tweeted the real story would be if Obama had corrected Sarko and referred to Bibi as a valued friend and interlocutor.

What I found odd about this story is that it was heard by journos in Cannes but's only come out now.  I don't understand why they didn't report it then and, from my understanding, the story came out via French blogs.

[Razgovory]

I don't know if this is surprising.  As Jeffrey Goldberg tweeted the real story would be if Obama had corrected Sarko and referred to Bibi as a valued friend and interlocutor.

What I found odd about this story is that it was heard by journos in Cannes but's only come out now.  I don't understand why they didn't report it then and, from my understanding, the story came out via French blogs.

  I wonder if anyone outside Israel likes Netanyahu.  Idi Amin's boys shot the wrong brother.

[Viking]

I don't know if this is surprising.  As Jeffrey Goldberg tweeted the real story would be if Obama had corrected Sarko and referred to Bibi as a valued friend and interlocutor.

What I found odd about this story is that it was heard by journos in Cannes but's only come out now.  I don't understand why they didn't report it then and, from my understanding, the story came out via French blogs.

Because the French officials got the journalists to promise to not report it on the grounds that they were off the cuff and not formal statements.

[Sheilbh]

Because the French officials got the journalists to promise to not report it on the grounds that they were off the cuff and not formal statements.

That explains it.  Though not to the credit of any of the journos involved

[Razgovory]

You Brits are weird.

[viper37]

  I wonder if anyone outside Israel likes Netanyahu.  Idi Amin's boys shot the wrong brother.

I like him.  Though I'm disapointed there's no gigantic bloodbath yet.  True peace can only be achieved once nearly everyone is dead on both sides.

[Berkut]

Because the French officials got the journalists to promise to not report it on the grounds that they were off the cuff and not formal statements.

That explains it.  Though not to the credit of any of the journos involved

Why?

Are journalists obligated to report *everything* anyone says, even if it is clearly not official, and  intended to be private conversation? Do public figures have to employ extreme measures to have a moment to speak to one another without concern that their words are going to be repeated, even when the conversation is not formal?

I think it is perfectly reasonable to recognize that private conversations between public figures are just that, and they should have the freedom to speak with an expectation of privacy, within reason. Otherwise public figures will simply not allow journalists around them at all, if they have to be worried that every off hand comment is going to be shared with the world.

[Neil]

You Brits are weird.

It's not that they're weird.  It's just they come from a country where pretty much every media outlet is the equivalent of People Magazine.  British journalism as a respectable record of events is pretty much dead.

[Razgovory]

You Brits are weird.

It's not that they're weird.  It's just they come from a country where pretty much every media outlet is the equivalent of People Magazine.  British journalism as a respectable record of events is pretty much dead.

I find that weird.