Italian PM employed "playboy tactics" on Fin Pres

[Durandal]

Berlusconi rubs salt in Finnish wound at food body
By Clara Ferreira-Marques Tue Jun 21, 9:26 AM ET
PARMA, Italy (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi repeated one of his most famous diplomatic gaffes on Tuesday by insulting the cuisine of Finland which Italy beat to host the new European Food Safety Authority.

"I've been to Finland and I had to endure the Finnish diet so I am in a position to make a comparison," Berlusconi told local dignitaries ahead of the inauguration of the EFSA in the northern Italian town of Parma.

The 68-year-old media tycoon also said he had used his masculine charm to persuade Finland's president, Tarja Halonen, to give up her country's claim to host the European Union agency.

"I had to use all my playboy tactics, even if they have not been used for some time," said Berlusconi.

At the opening ceremony later in the day, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso would have the chance to sample Parma's famous smoked ham, Berlusconi said, and see for himself that it was better than traditional Finnish food.

"Barroso today will be able to taste our 'culatello' as opposed to smoked herrings from Finland," he said to laughter from the audience.

Italy fought hard to host the EU agency and Berlusconi reportedly told a summit of European leaders in December 2001: "Parma is synonymous with good cuisine. The Finns don't even know what prosciutto is."

The line has become one of the most memorable of Berlusconi's long list of indiscretions.

In October 2002 he told a joint press conference with Denmark's Anders Fogh Rasmussen the Dane was "the best-looking prime minister in Europe".

"He's so good looking, I'm even thinking of introducing him to my wife," he added, chuckling to himself.

During a photograph with other EU leaders in Spain in February 2002, Berlusconi raised two fingers behind the head of the then Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique, in the traditional Latin gesture for a cuckold.

Italy's government continues to crack me up.

[HemlockGrey]

I want to dislike Berlusconi for some many different political reasons but I just can't bring myself to not like the man. Not only does he always seem so happy all the time, he's fucking hilarious.

[RedImperator]

Does he ride to work in a pimped out limo? If he doesn't, he should.

[Edi]

In other news, the Finnish government issued a summons today to the Italian ambassador here and demanded an official explanation of Mr. Berlusconi's remarks. It should be interesting to see what they will say in reply.

Losing the Food Safety Authority really grated here, because it was already a done deal before Italy decided to fuck everyone over unless they got their way. We were granted the future Chemical Authority Office as compensation after much wrangling, but now it's not even certain if the whole thing is ever going to get put together. And to top injury with some more insults, Italy tried its level best to deny Finland the head position in the European Border Guard Office. They failed in that. If Berlusconi pulls any more fucking stunts that leave my country in the lurch vs what we were promised, I advocate fucking up any decision making in the EU that would give Italy anything, just out of principle...

Edi

[The Grim Squeaker]

Too dumb to hate, not religious enough to be singleminded.

[Chmee]

Berlusconi makes American government seem so squeaky clean and ethical that it's worth it to have him in power just as the Gold Standard of corruption and self-aggrandizement to compare all other governments to ....

[Hendrake]

As if he hasn't daamged Italy's reputation enaugh, he keeps finding new ways to embarass us.

I hate him.

And he comes in Parma, my fucking city, with that smug self-satisfied grin.

And he has the gall to say Italy's reputation in the world is the best it's ever had. He even claims credit for the ME peace talks!

I. Hate. Him.

[Durandal]

I want to dislike Berlusconi for some many different political reasons but I just can't bring myself to not like the man. Not only does he always seem so happy all the time, he's fucking hilarious.

You can't hate an Italian government official for political reasons because the Italian government itself is a GINO -- Government In Name Only. The people there are honestly too laid back to give a rat's ass about government anymore.

[The Grim Squeaker]

I want to dislike Berlusconi for some many different political reasons but I just can't bring myself to not like the man. Not only does he always seem so happy all the time, he's fucking hilarious.

You can't hate an Italian government official for political reasons because the Italian government itself is a GINO -- Government In Name Only. The people there are honestly too laid back to give a rat's ass about government anymore.

At least theyre amusing, here in the holy land the prime minister and goverment are just as bad only they arent as "smart" or funny.

[Edi]

At least theyre amusing, here in the holy land the prime minister and goverment are just as bad only they arent as "smart" or funny.

There's nothing amusing about the way they fucked up EU decision making over the Food Authority and in other cases, at all.

Edi

[Hendrake]

At least theyre amusing, here in the holy land the prime minister and goverment are just as bad only they arent as "smart" or funny. :roll:

It's not quite as amusing when seen from Italy, I assure you.

[Uraniun235]

Wait, so he's basically saying he seduced the Finnish president into letting Italy host?

Wow. That's beautiful.