Date:23/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/23/stories/2008012350020100.htm

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I may not accompany Sarkozy: Carla

Vaiju Naravane

Paris: Although the Elysee Palace continues to keep mum on whether or not Carla Bruni will accompany President Nicolas Sarkozy to India, the lady herself gave out broad hints that she might stay at home while her man flies east for a hurried 36-hour visit later this week.

“I do not want to go to India just for an afternoon. And then we never really planned it,” she told the daily Liberation in an interview published on Tuesday. She said the quick dash to India reminded her of her days as a supermodel when she was jetlagged all the time. “It’s not good for the health,” she told the newspaper. Another reason the “almost French First Lady” gave for not accompanying the President was that they were “not married” although “we plan to.” Ms. Bruni said she was going into the studios early February to record her next album and “at the moment I am working at home on the arrangements.”

But Liberation, in a scathing article, said the President did not agree with his girlfriend’s decision. “He has insisted that his partner be by his side in India. Which is why the French embassy in India and the Indian External Affairs Ministry are still waiting for the final word from the President. On Monday night, a diplomat at the Elysee disclosed that he did not have “all the names of the persons accompanying the President to India.” Not to have the final list just 48 hours before departure — this is absolutely the first time it has happened.

“Afraid of risking his anger, no one at the Elysee has dared raise the subject with the Head of State. His trip has already been shortened by 24 hours. For the moment, a short private visit to Agra that he concocted for himself is still on the cards. But it is no longer sure that he will maintain that if his girlfriend does not join him. Pressed by their Indian counterparts who can no longer put up with these ill-mannered Sarkozyist ways, the protocol services are playing for time,” concluded Liberation in its front page article.