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French president Nicolas Sarkozy got his first lesson in diplomacy and political manners from Saudi Arabia who asked him to come alone without his "girl friend" Carla Bruni, on his visit to Saudi Arabia. Presidents should not act like young people or teenagers. They represent millions of people on their foreign visits, therefore should look and behave their best.I have a feeling that many French people welcome the Saudi decision. My personal view is that Mr. Sarkozy should have kept his relationship with Carla low profile until he is married to her, like many senior officials have done, let alone a president. Yes, there are people who do not believe in marriage, but my guess would be that the majority of the French people do see marriage as the ideal way to have a family and stable life which every one needs, let alone a president of a major country like France. I wish I could ask Mr Sarkozy why he decided to travel with a girlfriend as opposed to a wife, and did he consider how the French people will react to that.
Regardless of religion, cultural background, race and gender, and with respect to Carla and her son, who probably didn't have much choice, many people were astonished that Mr Sarkozy could not see how unfit and degrading this companionship for the president of France. I consider president Clinton's affair with Monica less offensive than this one. Clinton is a human being who was weak to his instinct at certain time, and we all do, but he tried to keep it secret in respect of his wife and his fellow citizens, and once it is public news, he apologized and came out of it stronger.
I know in the west, relationship between young people is common and is usually seen as pre-marriage maturity. I also know that older men and women are ( living together, sleeping in one bed but unmarried ) is quite common, and it suits many people who do not want to make the commitment. What I do not know, is would a man introduce a woman as his girlfriend in a social seen the same way he would introduces his wife or will he be a little embarrassed and will feel less with those who introduce their wives.
Hamad S Alomar Riyadh
