Sarkozy, the emperor with no clothes. Putin is Batman... and Amhadinejad is like Hitler: What America REALLY thinks of our world leaders

By Nick Pisa
Last updated at 7:00 AM on 29th November 2010

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The leaking of top secret classified cables from America's embassies has catapulted the United States into a diplomatic crisis that experts believe could destabilise relations around the world.
But what the leak has also revealed is the astonishing way in which the United States describes other world leaders.
Among them are controversial Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who's 'close relationship' with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is among WikiLeaks documents released.

Berlusconi has been friends with former KGB agent Putin, for more than five years and the two have held numerous bilateral meetings as well as entertained each other on holiday.
Of concern to Washington was said to be the deal between Italian energy firm ENI and Russian gas giant Gazprom, over the South Stream pipeline as well as the ''very cordial relationship between Putin and Berlusconi.'
Today/yesterday America's former ambassador to Italy Ronald Spogli, who was in Rome between 2005 and 2009, said in an interview with Corriere Della Sera:'The Rome-Moscow axis did worry us.'
In true diplomatic style Mr Spogli did not go into specific details but did add: 'Certainly, we have always said that a democratic Russia was always desirable.

 

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'In the last few years when there was a differing shift by Russia, we Americans always thought this (Putin-Berlusconi relationship) was not the right direction.'
Italian newspapers highlighted how Berlusconi had holidayed on the Black Sea with Putin and in return the Russian leader had been a guest at his counterpart's luxury villa in Sardinia.
They are published once again an infamous picture of Berlusconi pretending to 'shoot' a Russian journalist as she asked awkward questions of Putin at a press conference in Italy two years ago.
Also mentioned was Berlusconi's 'soft stance' towards Russia during the recent conflicts in Cechnia and Georgia.

'Close relationship': Italy's President Silvio Berlusconi, right, with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2008 (file pic)

Mr Spogli's comments were published as Berlusconi's government insisted there was a 'plot' by foreign powers to damage Italy's international reputation highlighting intense coverage of recent domestic events, as well as the release of Wikileaks files.
Among these were the ongoing rubbish crisis in Naples and the poor maintenance of the Roman ruins of Pompeii which had led to the collapse of the House of the Gladiators earlier this month.
The plot theory had first been raised by Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini who briefed Berlusconi and the government on the documents expected to be leaked telling them that there was 'nothing exceptional.'
Yesterday Mr Frattini said:'We will not be commenting on any of these documents as their publication is a crime. We are also looking at a possible criminal investigation against (the founder of WikiLeaks Julian) Assanage.
'I am worried that a combination of different factors, all put together could damage our national interests and the reputation of Italy,' he said without saying who was behind the attempt.
Berlusconi's government has been in crisis for a month after a series of sleaze scandals involving him and a 18 year old belly dancer as well as an escort who said she was paid to have sex with him.
Next month a crucial confidence vote will be held and if he loses Berlusconi is expected to call a general election in the Spring and the suggestion of a 'plot' was seized upon by the opposition as a sign of losing control.
Pierluigi Bersani, of the Democratic Left, said:'This is proof that the executive no longer exists and is just trying to create dangerous instability.'
While his colleague Emanuele Fiano said:'The government should not invent theories about non existent conspiracy plots to cover up its ineffectiveness.'
In a front page editorial La Repubblica newspaper wrote the plot theory was 'fruit of madmen who had invaded the Prime Minister's office' and who were 'using it to regain consensus and prepare for an election campaign.'
Berlusconi is confident of winning next month's crucial vote although an opinion poll in Corriere Della Sera showed that if they were voting MP's 61% of those asked said they would not back him.





Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333958/WikiLeaks-Sarkozy-emperor-clothes-Batman-Putin-Hitler-Amhadinejad-What-America-really-thinks-world-leaders.html#ixzz16eZPH6cd