Françoise Ducros, Director of Communications for the Prime Minister issued
this statement today in response to media reports in the past few days:
"I would like to set the record straight concerning media coverage
of some remarks I made during the NATO Summit in Prague.
The comments attributed to me in no way reflect my personal view of the
President of the United States. I have never, in any of the many briefings I
have given reporters as the Prime Minister's chief spokesperson, ever
expressed, on the record or off the record, any negative opinion concerning
President George Bush.
If I made comments in the context of what I understood to be a private
conversation, I regret that they have attracted so much media attention. I
accept full responsibility for them and I sincerely apologize.
So as not to have this matter overshadow the Prime Minister’s important
work here at the Summit I have offered him my resignation."
The resignation was declined.
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555