FORMER FRENCH PM TRIED OVER CLEARSTREAM AFFAIR

IN FRANCE DOMINIQUE DE VILLLEPIN ACCUSES PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY OF VENDETTA AT CLEARSTREAM TRIAL

PARIS (Xinhua) - Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin went to trial Monday on charge of slandering some top French politicians and commercial celebrities, including the present President Nicolas Sarkozy. "I am here because of one man's determination, Nicolas Sarkozy," said Villepin (55) at the arrival of the Paris court, suggesting the juridical system used on the so-called Clearstream affair is a political weapon. Some political analysts say that Sarkozy had used his powers to hound Mr Villepin and that the President had even promised to “hang those responsible on a butcher’s hook”.

The enmity between President Sarkozy and de Villepin, flared into public view at the start of a politically loaded trial over dirty tricks in the last presidential campaign. The case revolves around a crudely forged list of foreign bank accounts that appeared to be linked to kickbacks from arms deals. The mysterious list covering the names involved in the illegal commission from the sale of French warships to Taiwan, including Sarkozy, which turned out to be a hoax. Mr Villepin is accused of ordering a secret inquiry in January 2004 into his rival Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who, according to the allegation, was paid illegal commissions via an account at the Clearstream clearing bank of Luxembourg. The charges are “complicity in defamation and the use of forged documents”, in order to discredit Mr Sarkozy in 2004. He could face five years in prison, but is widely expected to receive a suspended term if convicted.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

If people are disturbed in this way, both ways, from the state side and from the rogue side, then how they will live peacefully? Just like we sometimes say that if the politicians and the statesmen they are so irresponsible, fighting amongst themselves to capture the power, where is the time for them to think of people's welfare? They cannot. It is not possible. ... But because they are simply busy to keep their position in the political power ... Just like recently there was fight between two political parties, and represented by two big men, Visvanatha Das and Hare Krsna Mahatattva. Both of them learned men, lawyers, but they are fighting like cats and dogs.

Srila A.C. BV Swami Prabhupada:
"Room Conversation and Discussion on SB 4.13.48 to SB 4.14.11
Jaipur, January 18, 1972"