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Technical Glitch Lets Reporters Eavesdrop On Obama, Sarkozy

Hugh Pickens writes "BBC reports that a technical glitch allowed reporters to listen in on a private conversation between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and US President Barack Obama, made in a backroom meeting at the G20 summit, treating listeners to a rare insight into the importance of personal relationships in international politics. 'I can't stand him any more,' said Mr. Sarkozy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'He's a liar.' Mr. Obama replied: 'You're sick of him. I have to deal with him every day!' According to Reuters, the two presidents were apparently 'unaware that the microphones in their meeting room had been switched on, enabling reporters in a separate location to listen in to a simultaneous translation.' The reporters made 'a group decision... not to report the conversation as it was considered private and off-the-record,' but Arrets Sur Images, a French website that covers current affairs, got wind of the exchange and broke the story."

1 of 411 comments (clear)

  1. Question by bigsexyjoe · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Why does the president of the U.S. have to talk to the President of Israel literally EVERY DAY? We give them all that military aid and side on them with every issue. We cut out funding for the UN cultural agency just because they allow Palestine to join. And he STILL has to talk to their president every day?

    Shouldn't he be more focused on the affairs of the US? I'm no isolationist, but why does he have to talk to the president of Israel every day? After a while, doesn't Israel have to become a viable nation that doesn't rely on the US for everything? I mean all they really have to do is stop building settlements so the international community will approve of them.