Sarkozy, Obama Caught Griping About Netanhayu

With microphones on, Sarkozy allegedly calls PM a liar
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 8, 2011 7:49 AM CST
Updated Nov 8, 2011 7:55 AM CST
Sarkozy, Obama Caught Griping About Netanhayu
Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy, right, hug as they attend a French - United States alliance ceremony at the Cannes City Hall, Friday, Nov. 04, 2011, after the end of the second day of G-20 Summit.   (AP Photo/Philippe Wojazer, Pool)

Ahh, world leaders and their microphones: When will they learn? In the latest incident of private (and not too polite) comments being picked up by mics that were not actually in the "off" position, Nicolas Sarkozy and Barack Obama were reportedly caught talking about Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at Thursday's G20 meeting, according to a report on a French website spotted by Ynet. While in a private room together, Obama reportedly dinged Sarkozy for failing to tell him that France would support Palestine's UNESCO bid.

Those comments then took them to Netanyahu, of whom Sarkozy allegedly said: "I cannot stand him. He is a liar." Obama, also allegedly, replied: "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day!" A solid three minutes of their tete-a-tete was transmitted to the headset-toting press, according to one journalist. Why didn't we hear about the blooper until now? "There were discussions between journalists and they agreed not to publish the comments due to the sensitivity of the issue," says one journo. (More Nicolas Sarkozy stories.)

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