Sarkozy's wife apologizes to Japan for her absence during G-8 summit

Friday 18th July, 01:51 PM JST

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Mizuame at 09:49 PM JST - 18th July

I think there is a wide expectation in Japan and in some other countries that a First Lady will be savy and capable enough to balance her personal career with her inherent national representation responsibilities. She has lost some of her shine on this occasion. De Gaulle's famous "transistor salesman" comment also comes to mind.
RepublicofTexas at 11:08 PM JST - 18th July

I think Bruni has every right to be wherever she wants. She has no official capacity, so she is just like any wife who has a right to her own job and doesn't need to accompany her husband to his. However the apology was certainly a good move and no doubt serves as PR victory.
Piglet at 11:17 PM JST - 18th July

What many here seem to forget is that the concept of "first lady" is typically American but has no significance in the French context. Mrs Sarkozy is a private citizen with no official duties, unlike its American counterpart. Furthermore, the western European social background (usually quite liberal for social issues) is very different from more conservative countries, like the USA and especially Japan. Most people in Europe don't think anymore there is a "proper role" for a wife, so nobody is expecting private issues to influence the political issues. People should instead focus on the behavior of Mr Sarkozy, who didn't even bother to meet Mr Fukuda privately. I think this is a clear message that France is not pleased with the current state of affairs in Japan and that the relationships between both countries are not that good at the moment.
RepublicofTexas at 11:23 PM JST - 18th July

I think this is a clear message that France is not pleased with the current state of affairs in Japan and that the relationships between both countries are not that good at the moment.

I don't believe that at all. In fact, I think this apology is France's ways of alleviating Japanese fears of being snubbed. Franco-Japanese relations, though perhaps not as good as they were under Chirac are still healthy and there is greater cooperation on a number of issues such as nuclear power.
KitsuneYoukai at 11:26 PM JST - 18th July

She shoudl have been there like the rest fo them. It is her responsibility as a "first lady" all this crap about "she should be able to do what she wants" is ludicrous. People int hose positions/marriages have to live up to higher standards than the rest of us. Shame on her, the apology is more like an excuse that is lame at that and in a letter...pathetic!
RepublicofTexas at 11:29 PM JST - 18th July

It is her responsibility as a "first lady"

There is no official first lady position in France. In France, the first lady is just considered the spouse of the President and has the freedom to lead a pretty much private/civilian life.
Sarge at 11:49 PM JST - 18th July

Lips - "who gives a monkeys at the end of the day?"

A whole bunch of people! ha ha ha
Good_Jorb at 01:12 AM JST - 19th July

I think this is a clear message that France is not pleased with the current state of affairs in Japan and that the relationships between both countries are not that good at the moment.

Or maybe Sarkozy doesn't want to go down the same road as they currently are with China and Chinese Nationalist. If he burns a bridge with Japan, France will have little to no influence in northeast Asia.
rajakumar at 03:57 AM JST - 19th July

Good, an apology due here from Mrs Sarkozy/France.
USARonin at 05:21 AM JST - 19th July

"Good, an apology due here from Mrs Sarkozy/France."

ArrJay, why?

I mean you know these leaders teleconference all the time on important matters, right?

This public show is just for pinheads who don't realize the aforementioned and need some kind of public display.

Did Laura Bush go? I assume so, not that I care. If she didn't attend a whole bunch of small minds would be squawkin' about it all through this thread.

This is one enquirin' mind who doesn't obsess about small trivialities.

USAR
kjunluc2 at 06:47 AM JST - 19th July

****What's with so many of these old, bastard politicians; marrying women half their age. An old man who does that is not fit to run a country.

I remember one 80 year old Supreme Court justice with a 22 year old wife. Can't remember his name. They were wheeling him from the hospital to his car with reports all over. His remark: "I shtill run twe-e-enty milesh a day.

No dignity left in so-called first families anywhere, anymore.

Trophy wives!! Crap!
borscht at 10:27 AM JST - 20th July

Which is better: looking at politician's wives with fake smiles slapped on their face as they go through one boring photo op after another while their husbands pretend to be doing some work OR sitting in a recording studio with a bunch of personable musicians and producers, drinking wine, laughing, and producing a best-selling CD?

As for a man not being a 'man' because he didn't choose the right woman to be his obedient wife... God, give me a break.

Besides, the correct quote - from an elderly British knight - is "He can't be a man cause doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me."
delitachan at 09:02 PM JST - 21st July

Who cares. Why was she needed there again...?
Triumvere at 05:12 PM JST - 22nd July

I think the concept of "First Lady" needs to die out. (The possiblilty of a female president being elected in the near future, and the absurd idea of a "first Gentleman" has already started the process.) She wasn't elected, she doesn't hold office, and she has no official position or duties. Women are no longer defined by their husbands; let Carla do as she pleases.

PS. That's not to say spouses of politiicians should run around doing crazy stuff; their behavior reflects on their partners and can effect their career, so some decorum is required. A singing career, in this light, would seem ill advised, however, it should be noted that she was a singer, an produced the album in question, before her relationship with Sarkozy.
Xentrix at 04:29 AM JST - 23rd July

She was invited , she could not come due to singing career then Carla sent a reply to the Prime Minister's wife to Japan. That was a form of respectful actions.