French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a diplomatic gaffe at the G20 summit in Cannes last week by telling U.S. President Barack Obama that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "a liar". The two presidents were having a private conversation and both believed the nearby recording machines of journalists were switched off. Sarkozy said to Obama: "I cannot bear Netanyahu, he's a liar," to which Obama replied: "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him even more often than you." Israeli Vice Premier Silvan Shalom told Israel’s army radio station that: "Everyone talks about everyone. Sometimes even good friends say things about each other, certainly in such competitive professions."
The White House press secretary Jay Carney refused to comment on the conversation when questioned by reporters. It is believed Obama and Sarkozy were talking about Palestine’s bid for full membership of UNESCO at the time, and that the U.S. leader was expressing his regret that his French counterpart had backed the Palestinians' bid. Presidential gaffes such as Sarkozy and Obama's are not uncommon. Perhaps the most famous one was made by former U.S. president Ronald Reagan. He was unaware a tape was left running after a sound check and made a joke about the Soviet Union, saying: "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."
SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
| 1. | gaffe | a. | tired |
| 2 | bear | b. | opposite number |
| 3. | fed up | c. | declined |
| 4. | competitive | d. | tolerate |
| 5. | professions | e. | faux pas |
| 6. | refused | f. | attempt |
| 7. | bid | g. | rare |
| 8. | counterpart | h. | occupations |
| 9. | uncommon | i. | laws |
| 10. | legislation
Answers:
| 1. | gaffe | a. | faux pas |
| 2 | bear | b. | tolerate |
| 3. | fed up | c. | tired |
| 4. | competitive | d. | ambitious |
| 5. | professions | e. | occupations |
| 6. | refused | f. | declined |
| 7. | bid | g. | attempt |
| 8. | counterpart | h. | opposite number |
| 9. | uncommon | i. | rare |
| 10. | legislation
The Lie Game:
Guess which one of the following is a lie!
1. I once was an extra in a film with Richard E Grant and Miranda Richardson
2. I once ran in a half marathon.
3. I once did a 300m bungee jump in Australia.
You're allowed 3 questions for each! | j. | laws |
| j. | ambitious
|
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