WELL, THE FRENCH ARE EXPERTS IN THIS AREA.

French ambassador calls Israel 'paranoid' and Sharon 'a lout' (Ohad Gozani, Telegraph, 9/1/03)

France's new ambassador to Israel caused a diplomatic row with his hosts yesterday after he was reported to have described the Jewish state as 'paranoid' and called its prime minister, Ariel Sharon, 'a lout'.

Limor Livnat, Israel's education minister, said the remarks attributed to Gerard Araud were 'very grave'. If true, she said, Israel should refuse to accept his letter of accreditation. . . .

In a statement, the French foreign ministry spokesman, Hervé Ladsous, said: "Gerard Araud denies in the most formal way all of the comments attributed to him by an Israeli journalist with respect to the state of Israel and its prime minister".

Is there a difference between denying something in the "most formal way" and admitting it? Posted by David Cohen at September 1, 2003 5:07 PM