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Sources Say Sarkozy Finds Obama's Iran Policy ‘Arrogant,’ ‘Utterly Immature’
October 28, 2008 11:39 AM
The respected Israeli newspaper Ha'artez reports that according to a "senior Israeli government source, the reports reaching Israel indicate that Sarkozy views the Democratic candidate's stance on Iran as 'utterly immature' and comprised of 'formulations empty of all content.'"
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., met with Sarkozy in July and they are said to have discussed Iran at length.
French authorities are said to be concerned that the international community doesn't take the Iranian threat seriously enough. French intelligence has concluded that Iran has already obtained up to 40% of the enriched uranium it needs for a bomb, the newspaper reports, and will have obtained the rest next summer.
"According to the reports reaching Israel, Sarkozy told Obama at that meeting that if the new American president elected in November changed his country's policy toward Iran, that would be 'very problematic,'" Ha'aretz reports. "Until now, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have tried to maintain a united front on Iran. But according to the senior Israeli source, Sarkozy fears that Obama might 'arrogantly' ignore the other members of this front and open a direct dialogue with Iran without preconditions."
The Obama campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
-- jpt
UPDATE: The Obama campaign passes along this comment from a spokesman for the French government: "The remarks attributed by the newspaper Haaretz to the President of the French Republic concerning Senator Obama's positions on Iran are groundless. To the contrary, the in-depth discussions between the President of the Republic and Senator Obama on Iran during their meeting in Paris in July demonstrated a broad convergence of views on this issue. President Sarkozy and Senator Obama agree to oppose Iran's development of a military nuclear capability."
October 28, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (143)
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Oops! From from the French Embassy: “The remarks attributed by the newspaper Haaretz to the President of the French Republic concerning Senator Obama’s positions on Iran are groundless. To the contrary, the in-depth discussions between the President of the Republic and Senator Obama on Iran during their meeting in Paris in July demonstrated a broad convergence of views on this issue. President Sarkozy and Senator Obama agree to oppose Iran’s development of a military nuclear capabilities.”
Well for a couple of hours the Republicans actually cared what the rest of the world thought.
Posted by: Livy | Oct 30, 2008 4:44:00 PM
It is the most absurd manifestation of irony that the single state who caused a nuclear catastrophe in a twin attack on our earth now has assumed the role of the prime preacher in the nuclear field while ever expanding its nuclear weapons capability.
It is the most absurd manifestation of irony that the single state who caused a nuclear catastrophe in a twin attack on our earth now has assumed the role of the prime preacher in the nuclear field while ever expanding its nuclear weapons capability.
Posted by: Pamela | Oct 30, 2008 1:56:25 PM
Looks like Sarko is Bush's newest lapdog. This only confirms that Sarko is a mental midget only second to Bush.
Posted by: Timmy | Oct 30, 2008 1:55:10 PM
The Iranians have shown that they are not afraid of anyone. What they lack in weapons, they offset with willpower. As for the West, well, never underestimate the power of denial. The Iranians feel the West, especially the UK and the US, humiliated them when they backed the Shah and helped depose Dr. Mossadegh. Extreme humiliation is hard to forget.
Posted by: Strukov | Oct 29, 2008 10:14:10 PM
Who is going to feed the world when the U.S.A.becomes a collective society?Who among us will work and have our labors confiscated for their daily bread?This wonderful American experiment is being subverted and perverted by the leftists in our society,they must be destroyed! Not by violence,but at the ballot box!!!!
Posted by: gerald hammer | Oct 29, 2008 9:30:38 PM
and Sarah Palin scares you libs?
As for the French overwhelmingly approving Obama, is that support coming from Free France, Vichy France, or a combination thereof?
Posted by: joe | Oct 29, 2008 6:44:53 PM
Sarah Palin was playing dumb with Katie Couric. She is the only governor who has a TopSecret clearance because the National Guard in Alaska has to be on 24 hour alert and she is their Commander-in-chief. People with kind of clearance are suppose to act like they know nothing, but she has been privy to information that Obama has not.
He sounds "arrogant" and "immature" because he does not have Top Secret information. Palin is more qualified than Obama.
Posted by: momlove | Oct 29, 2008 3:57:13 PM
In response to Gabriel's post:
I agree with you. My family came here (escaped) from Poland in 1940 (those who've actually cracked a history book will understand the relevance of that timeline). It frightens and sickens me that a whole new generation of American voters don't recognize the voice of socialism when they hear it. What's more disturbing is that the older generation that SHOULD know better isn't paying attention. They think they're voting for a democrat. McCain is the Democrat in this race, not Obama. He is farther left than a real, America loving democrat ever could be. Your liberties will disappear so fast you won't see it happening because it'll all be "for your own good"..it's ALWAYS for your own good. No tyrannical dictator ever took office by threatening people. It was always for good, happy, economical reasons. None of which ever came to pass. Please America, you've been a beacon of hope for a troubled world, for people who've risked their lives and others who lost their lives trying to make it to these sacred shores. You are the world's last best hope and with Obama....your light of liberty will die as will our hopes.
Please wake up. Don't make this dreadful mistake.
Posted by: LSheroski | Oct 29, 2008 3:28:20 PM
If the media spent as much time on Obama's shady associations as they have on Sarah Palin's wardrobe, we would have heard about Sarkowzy already instead of reading it here. We are still not hearing about LA Times tape, Obama comparing "home" to Nazi Germany, etc. He is packaged for sale to the American people and they aren't even looking under the wrapping.
Posted by: Dee | Oct 29, 2008 2:29:32 PM
So, even the French are calling Obama arrogant? LOL!
Even the French know!
Posted by: ster | Oct 29, 2008 2:14:43 PM
I 'm French, and i can say Sarkozy is pro American and wish the same foreign policy as McCain, but public opinion is against him, so he does not show it: 81% of french would vote Obama!. Normal, french medias do not stop talking about him like The "man" who changes USA and McCain is the Hell!! and don't speak about Palin: an old Hag!!
In france, we can have an objective vision of presidential elections. SCANDALOUS!!
Posted by: Bixent | Oct 29, 2008 12:50:15 PM
What happened to “freedom fries”? Sarkozy wants to be the new Tony Blair of Europe by following Bush policies, but he has already failed in his domestic policies in France. Check his popularity rating in France now! We don’t even know if he actually said what Ha’aretz calims.
Posted by: Al Bani | Oct 29, 2008 12:23:15 PM
I am grateful the French President has finally informed the US voters of BO's uneducated views of the world, he is, infact a child of the world, a follower, not a leader. Keep the turth coming
Posted by: Tony L | Oct 29, 2008 11:58:19 AM
Obama No Merci Beaucoup.
He's never met a tax that he didn't like.
He hangs around with crazys like Rev. Wright
He'll give away the farm without a fight.
Obama No Merci Beaucoup.
Posted by: Danton | Oct 29, 2008 8:19:26 AM
So, now we care what the French think?
Is "Do Nothing" Sarkozy worried that his celebrity status will be undermined?
Chamge is not always good but it sure beats doing the same things repeatedly and hoping for a better result! Bush got it wrong and so did McCain--- time to try a new path.
Posted by: Jazzy | Oct 29, 2008 8:16:20 AM
Reagan is rolling in his grave
Posted by: sert | Oct 29, 2008 3:14:15 AM
chavez, castro, farakkhan, rev wright. these men all love Obama...
Posted by: joe | Oct 29, 2008 3:13:33 AM
if you elect obama you deserve it
Posted by: will | Oct 29, 2008 3:11:55 AM
Based on Obama's previous statements and beliefs, it is likely that Sarkozy is correct. Like most liberals, he believes that all human beings are rational and can be reasoned with. I don't know that his view on Iran is "arrogant," but it's certainly "immature."
Posted by: Sisyphus | Oct 29, 2008 2:11:13 AM
For the French to say this shows a lot about Obama.
Posted by: Lol | Oct 29, 2008 1:10:25 AM
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