White House briefing materials describe Italian PM as "amateur", "hated by many"

The White House has apologized for circulating briefing materials which described Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as an amateur presiding over an administration of corruption and vice who is hated by many:

The White House has apologised to Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi for a briefing describing him as a political "amateur" who is "hated by many".

The "insulting" biography was included in a press kit distributed to reporters travelling with President George W Bush to a meeting of world leaders in Japan.

He was "one of the most controversial leaders" of a country "known for governmental corruption and vice".

Only last month, Mr Bush visited his old ally, calling him a "good friend".

The four-page description of Mr Berlusconi had been taken from the Encyclopedia of World Biography.

It refers to the Italian prime minister as a man "hated by many but respected by all at least for his bella figura (personal style) and the sheer force of his will".

It says Mr Berlusconi was said to be "regarded by many as a political dilettante (amateur) who gained his high office only through use of his considerable influence on the national media". [BBC]

Pot, meet kettle.

Comments

[JohnL]

But did he start a war? See, Bush still wins. Perhaps Bush thought he was praising Berlusconi?

[Cass]

I could probably get my poodle into office, if I controlled ninety-three percent of the nation's media. (She'd supply the bella segura, I'd supply the will.)

[Jack]

"an amateur presiding over an administration of corruption and vice who is hated by many"?

Sounds more like the American head of state than the Italian.

[Jason]

I thought much the same - when the White House staff wrote "He was "one of the most controversial leaders" of a country "known for governmental corruption and vice" - they thought this was a GOOD thing, since it mirrored their own reality.

[Raphael]

Not that I'd want to defend Bush, but Berlusconi really makes him look clean, honest, and qualified in a direct comparision.

[Sean C]

Berlusconi to Bush: I know you are but what am I?

[cfrost]

A case of a broken clock being right twice a day.

[Guest]

The Bush Administration finally demonstrates candor and honesty for the first time in 7 years...

...and immediately apologizes, also for the first time in 7 years.

A two-fer.

[Eric]

I wonder if that encyclopedia really exists and if there ever really was such an article to be found?

[Dunc]

I really don't think anyone can fairly describe Berlusconi as an "amateur". He's really very good at corruption and being hated by many.

[Elfmeter]

@Eric,

seems that the White House staff simply used Google to get the following free content from encyclopedia.com:

Berlusconi, Silvio
Encyclopedia of World Biography | Date: 2005
Silvio Berlusconi

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (born 1936) is one of the most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for governmental corruption and vice. Primarily a businessman with massive holdings and influence in international media, he is regarded by many as a political dilettante who gained his high office only through use of his considerable influence on the national media."

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3446400032.html

[madmatt]

And naturally the white house apologized for using correct information....and promise it will never happen again.

[Robin]

The new Berlusconi government has started its new administration by trying to outdo earlier ones on the fascist front by mandating that all Roma be fingerprinted for identification.

[barbara]

this would be hilarious if it weren't so sad