Obama Expresses 'Disappointment' on French Palestinian Vote

[oberliner]

U.S. President Barack Obama says he used a private meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy earlier this month to express "significant disappointment" with a French vote in favor of Palestinians joining the U.N. cultural heritage agency, UNESCO.

Obama's private November 3 meeting with Sarkozy ahead of a Group of 20 summit in the French city of Cannes made international headlines after Elysee staff accidentally transmitted part of the leaders' conversation to a group of reporters in another room.

As the reporters listened to simultaneous translation of that conversation, they heard Sarkozy criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "liar" whom he "cannot bear." With both leaders unaware that their microphones had been turned on, Obama appeared to sympathize with Sarkozy, saying "You may be sick" of Mr. Netanyahu, but "I have to work with him every day."

Asked about those remarks at a news conference in Honolulu late Sunday, Obama said he would not comment on that part of the conversation. But, he said the main point he made to the French president was his disappointment that France voted for the Palestinian Authority to join UNESCO on October 31 despite knowing that such a move would force Washington to cut funding to the agency.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Obama-Expresses-Disappointment-on-French-Palestinian-Vote-133795423.html

[geek tragedy]

1. Not his best moment. nt

[tularetom]

2. I think the whole frickin world is pretty much "sick" of Mr Netanyahu

So why the hell does the US continue to kiss his ass?

Nice to see that Obama has gotten his marching orders and is falling into line. I guess he has to atone to AIPAC for his unfortunate little slip of the tongue.

[leveymg]

3. Open mic "accidents" usually aren't. Sarkozy is facing a tough election - most French support Pal.

recognition and full UN membership, and are equally appalled by Israel under Netanyahu.

Theatrics.

[oberliner]

4. This one seems to have been a geniune accident

I'm not sure any of the players involved really benefited from it. I don't believe it would have been intentional.

[leveymg]

8. Well, then, that was a real whopper of a freeway pile-up.

[JustAnotherGen]

5. I don't understand

Why Palestine should NOT be recognized by UNESCO. My fiance is a jack of all trades but is certified by UNESCO for restoration of iron/all metals (he's from Italy - learned blacksmithing there / trained juried artist).

If they have artifacts there - it is better for the world to have someone who is UNESCO approved for restoration and preservation. Allowing them in for a historical preservation/restoration purposes serves all people around the world who would like to see the treasures of centuries past.

[oberliner]

6. H.R.3792: Foreign Relations Authorization Act

SEC. 414. MEMBERSHIP OF THE PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION IN UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES.

(a) PROHIBITION- No funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or any other Act shall be available for the United Nations or any specialized agency thereof which accords the Palestine Liberation Organization the same standing as member states.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c101:1:./temp/~c101jMr2Pk:e183255:

[torotoro]

7. So when is the Bill to make Israel the New US Capital Going to be up for a Vote?

Might as well get this over with.

[oberliner]

9. Welcome to DU

What a contribution.