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Last update - 18:04 30/10/2008
France strongly denies Sarkozy criticized Obama stance on Iran
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: sarkozy, israel news, obama 

France has denied reports claiming that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is very critical of U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama's positions on Iran.

According to reports that reached Israel's government earlier this week, Sarkozy made his criticisms only in closed forums in France.

But 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."
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The Obama campaign responded furiouly to the reports and the French embassy in Washington issued a statement saying:

"The remarks attributed by the newspaper Haaretz to the president of the French Republic concerning Senator Obama's positions on Iran are groundless," said the statement.

"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 Sen. Obama agree to oppose Iran's development of a military nuclear capability."

Meanwhile, Republican candidate John McCain's campaign staff two days ago began to broadcast a video clip attacking Obama's stance on Iran. All major American communications networks reported the clip as being broadcast in response to the Haaretz article.

"Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat,'" the announcer in the video says. "Terrorism, destroying Israel, those aren't "serious threats? Obama - dangerously unprepared to be president."

Related links:
  • U.S. elections on Haaretz.com
  • Sources: Sarkozy views Obama stance on Iran as 'utterly immature'
  • L.A. Times defends decision not to release clip of Obama with Palestinian critic of Israel
  • U.S. rabbis: McCain attacks on Obama creeping toward 'hate speech'


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      1.   Too late, talkbackers already reported this... 17:31  |  BBSNews 30/10/08
      2.   Ha`artez and tabloid journalism 17:33  |  Nathaniel 30/10/08
      3.   thus FRANCE agrees that negotiations are the only accepted path 17:45  |  rgg 30/10/08
      4.   Obama is going to have to learn that a lot of people including 17:47  |  Ben 30/10/08
      5.   #4 Ben. A majority of Americans are going to vote for Obama. 17:56  |  Lou Medel 30/10/08
      6.   Calls for Ha`aretz to investigate itself... 18:14  |  Esther 30/10/08
      7.   5 Hey Lou, we are already soaking our heads. Our revenge? 18:15  |  Pssd off American. 30/10/08
      8.   "Not Very critical" 18:42  |  Ben Lolo 30/10/08
      9.   Did anybody NOT see through this? 18:48  |  Axel 30/10/08
      10.   Gee Haaretz, thanks for finally reporting what I said yesterday 18:53  |  Petey 30/10/08
      11.   #7 PssdoffAmerican....A lot of Dems are voting 19:13  |  Lynn 30/10/08
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      16.   BBSNews 20:31  |  Proud Jew 30/10/08
      17.   believe it or not 21:07  |  yonah 30/10/08
      18.   boycotting Israel vs. shunning Iran 21:16  |  DJStahl 30/10/08
      19.   Whack Jobs#16 21:18  |  Victor` 30/10/08
      20.   Shunning Iran vs. boycotting Israel 21:20  |  DJStahl 30/10/08
      21.   Obama 21:26  |  Philippe 30/10/08
      22.   For BBSNews on No-Show Joe # 15 21:47  |  Clickfool 30/10/08
      23.   Obama & BBSNews 22:33  |  sfg 30/10/08
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