An Exercise in Futile Public Relations

Jacques Chirac’s crusade against English has led him to storm out (with aides right behind!) of a European Union meeting.

When M Seillière, who is an English-educated steel baron, started a presentation to all 25 EU leaders, President Chirac interrupted to ask why he was speaking in English. M Seillière explained: “I’m going to speak in English because that is the language of business.”

Without saying another word, President Chirac, who lived in the US as a student and speaks fluent English, walked out, followed by his Foreign, Finance and Europe ministers, leaving the 24 other European leaders stunned. They returned only after M Seilière had finished speaking.

The hilarious part is the attempt by French diplomats to explain the childishness away:

Embarrassed French diplomats tried to explain away the walk-out, saying that their ministers all needed a toilet break at the same time.

A potty break? That was the best they could come up with? Hilarious. (HT: the Instapundit)