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2007-06-13 09:25:41
Apology over 'drunk' Sarkozy clip
French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a clip from Belgian television
The clip is one of the most popular on YouTube
Belgian TV broadcast
A Belgian newscaster has apologised for suggesting French President Nicolas
Sarkozy was drunk during a news conference at last week's G8 summit.
A clip of the incident, posted on the YouTube video website, has been watched
hundreds of thousands of times.
It shows Mr Sarkozy, who insists he is a teetotaller, appearing short of breath
and euphoric before reporters.
Belgian broadcaster RTBF said presenter Eric Boever asked the French embassy to
convey his apologies to the president.
Boever presented footage from the opening moments of Mr Sarkozy's news
conference following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the
comment that "apparently he had more than just water to drink".
In the clip, Mr Sarkozy offers apologies to journalists for being late and then
pauses, as if on the verge of laughter, before inviting questions.
'Bad taste'
Boever said the remark was made in jest, and that he apologised "for the
proportions that this is taking".
Mark Mardell
It's been no big thing, as far as I can see, in the French media
BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell
Read Mark's thoughts in full
"I obviously did not want to offend French national sensitivities, especially
since I am also French through my mother," he added.
A spokesman for the president declined to comment, saying "it is not common
practice... to comment on bad taste jokes".
Mr Sarkozy, who was making his international debut at the summit, says he does
not drink alcohol and is a long-distance runner.