[NYTr] France's President Abruptly Ends 'Stupid' Interview on '60 Minutes'

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

AP - Oct 29, 2007
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SARKOZY_STORMY_INTERVIEW?SITE=INKEN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Oct 29, 11:33 AM EDT

France's President Abruptly Ends 'Stupid' Interview on '60 Minutes'
Over Questions About Wife

 NEW YORK (AP) -- France's president abruptly ended a "60 Minutes"
interview aimed at introducing him to U.S. audiences, dubbing it
"stupid" and a "big mistake" and refusing to answer questions about his
wife.

Before the CBS news show interview in Paris even began, Sarkozy called
his press secretary "an imbecile" for arranging the session on a busy
day.

"I don't have the time. I have a big job to do, I have a schedule,"
Sarkozy said through a translator before the interview began. In
English, he added: "Very busy. Very busy."

In the interview conducted earlier this month and aired Sunday night,
he candidly discussed what he likes about the U.S. But he grew
frustrated when asked about his wife, Cecilia, who helped negotiate the
release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor charged with
infecting Libyan children with HIV and then failed to show up at a
ceremony in which Sarkozy was given a medal by Bulgaria.

"If I had to say something about Cecilia, I would certainly not do so
here," Sarkozy replied.

He declared the interview over and said: "Bon courage." Two weeks
later, the Sarkozys' divorce was announced.

Before he broke off the interview, Sarkozy was asked about what he
would like the American people to know about him. "I want the Americans
to know that they can count on us. But at the same time, we want to be
free to disagree," he said.

The comment apparently referred to France's opposition to the U.S.-led
invasion of Iraq in 2003, a stand that until recently had soured
relations with Washington.

Sarkozy said he admired Americans' work ethic and the opportunities for
advancement in the country, irrespective of class or background.

He said while his Hungarian father had worried that his surname would
be an obstacle in France, "he was proven wrong."

"That's what he thought. That a name like Sarkozy was a handicap," the
president said. "That's the reason why I like the United States. You
can have a name like Schwarzenegger and be governor of California. You
can be called Madeleine Albright and be secretary of state. You can be
called Colin Powell or Condi Rice, and succeed."

© 2007 The Associated Press.