InfoAnda - France's trial of the decade kicks off

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

China's Huawei, ZTE face EU action on telecom subsidies: FT | | 28 May 2012
Protests greet Mexico's Calderon after U.S. killings | | 17 March 2010
Attacks prompt UN warning to 200 Afghan staffers | 27 April 2010

Aerosmith drummer writes of Hitting Rock Bottom | Entertainment | | 1 July 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : France's trial of the decade kicks off

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America France's trial of the decade kicks off AFP - Sunday, September 20 Send IM Story Print France's most politically-charged trial of the decade begins on Monday. The so-called Clearstream affair has divided the political elite. Former prime minister Dominique de Villepin, two former executives of defence giant EADS and several others are in the dock over the revelation of a list of dirty bank accounts -- a list which turned out to be bogus. Duration: 1:55 PARIS (AFP) - – Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin goes on trial Monday for allegedly plotting a smear campaign against President Nicolas Sarkozy in France's most politically-charged case in years. Dubbed the trial of the decade, the judicial drama features a cast of powerful players in politics, industry and intelligence circles, beginning with Sarkozy, who is a civil plaintiff in the case. A suave diplomat best remembered for leading the charge against the Iraq war at the United Nations, Villepin is accused of conspiring to slander Sarkozy at a time when the pair were waging a vicious battle to succeed Jacques Chirac as president. The case dates back to 2004 and centres on a list -- later proved to have been fabricated -- of account holders at the Clearstream financial clearing house who allegedly received kickbacks from the sale of French frigates to Taiwan. One name on the bogus list was that of Sarkozy, then Chirac's ambitious finance and interior minister, who suspects the president's chosen heir Villepin of using the list to try to torpedo his bid for the presidency. Villepin, 55, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the case would have never gone to trial had it not been for Sarkozy's "meddling" in the judicial process. The trial is shaping up as a showdown between the two men, whose mutual hatred is legendary in French political circles. But it will also cast light on the murky dealings of French intelligence and of one of the world's top aerospace companies, EADS. A former EADS vice president and Villepin ally, Jean-Louis Gergorin is also on trial as is the former head of an EADS research center, Imad Lahoud, who has reportedly confessed to falsifying the list. Also on trial are management consultant Florian Bourges, accused of stealing Clearstream documents, and journalist Denis Robert, who broke the story. Villepin faces up to five years in jail and a 45,000-euro (66,000-dollar) fine if convicted of "complicity in slander, complicity in the use of forgeries, dealing in stolen property and breach of trust". In the weeks leading up to the trial, Villepin has waged a media offensive, accusing Sarkozy of being "a bit twisted" for insisting that the Clearstream affair was a plot to sabotage his bid for the presidency. Sarkozy reportedly vowed to "hang up whoever did this on a butcher's hook". "Some day, he will have to explain his relentlessness," Villepin said last week. "This is not without consequences for the office of president, on the human and political level." Among the star witnesses are former spymasters including Yves Bertrand of the RG police intelligence and Mike Turner, former head of Britain's defence giant BAE Systems. General Philippe Rondot, a former intelligence official whose notes -- seized by investigators -- detail secret meetings that appear to incriminate Villepin, is to testify in early October. Chirac's name came up at the outset in connection with the Clearstream case, but he was never formally investigated, has denied all knowledge of the affair and has not been called to testify. Villepin himself is expected to take the stand next week, defending himself in the exact Paris courtroom where Marie Antoinette was sentenced to the guillotine in 1793. "This is the trial of an era," said Robert, the investigative journalist among the five defendants. "It is the trial of a kind of French political practice, where spooks and the powers that be use the legal system as a political tool." "We see that inside domestic intelligence circles there was a rift between those who were loyal to Villepin and those who were close to Sarkozy," he told AFP. Villepin's trial comes five years after another prime minister, Alain Juppe, was convicted of corruption in an illegal party financing scheme and given a 14-month suspended sentence and a one-year ban on holding public office. The hearings at the Paris criminal court are scheduled to run until October 23. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Taliban leader Omar says foreign troops face defeat AFP - Sunday, September 20 Homes evacuated as wildfire burns near Temecula AP - Sunday, September 20 Bombs, vid of exploding turtle found in NY search AP - Sunday, September 20 Obama to hold joint meeting with Netanyahu, Abbas Reuters - Sunday, September 20 Gates lashes out at critics of U.S. missile plan Reuters - Sunday, September 20 News Search Top Stories Thousands in Spain protest Opel job cuts I.Coast toxic dump 'still claiming lives' Sacked Irish computer workers to get massive EU aid Sweden slashes income tax further to boost jobs Debate heats up over Wall Street rally More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO Jackson mum, children get $86,000 per month Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight Debate heats up over Wall Street rally IMF to sell 403 tonnes of gold to help poor More Most Viewed » Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO Poignant final farewell as Jackson laid to rest Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Search Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Sunday, 20 September 2009
Taliban leader Omar says foreign troops face defeat
'Eight dead' in migrant boat sinking off Morocco
U.S. Afghanistan commander's troops request ready | International |
I.Coast toxic dump 'still claiming lives'
Sacked Irish computer workers to get massive EU aid
Sweden slashes income tax further to boost jobs
Road to Mideast peace 'blocked': Abbas
Families bear brunt of prisoners' plight in Iran
Iraq arrests three antiquities traffickers
Russia finds no secret cargo on Arctic Sea: report | International |
Two Afghan children killed by suspected woman bomber
Ahmadinejad Holocaust jibe 'totally unacceptable': Moscow
Serb gay pride parade off on lack of security assurances | International |
Pakistan police raid US-contracted security firm
Airman's bracelet lost in World War II returned
Bear attacks tourists at Japan bus station
Seven Mumbai suspects in custody: Islamabad
Racially charged killing ignites Ill. community
Pakistan jails 6 Germans over 'terror ties': report
Pakistani villagers bury dead as bomb toll hits 40
College band musicians suspended in hazing probe
Multinationals break Vietnam law in formula sales
Thai protesters mark anniversary of 2006 coup
Obama extends greetings on Muslim holiday
AP NewsAlert
Toughest test coming up for health care overhaul
Taliban leader tells US, NATO to study history
NJ police: Dad tells 4-year-old cocaine is candy
Pakistan: Mumbai suspects to be charged soon
Obama rolling into week of high diplomatic stakes
ADM's price fixing movie opens in firm's hometown
A look at members of the Senate Finance Committee
Movie on price fixing opens in ADM's hometown
Germany's beer festival kicks off
Precious wins top Toronto film festival prize | Entertainment |
White Stripes get personal in new film documentary | Entertainment |
CIA expanding presence in Afghanistan: report
France's trial of the decade kicks off
Thousands in Spain protest Opel job cuts
Sticky U.S.-Japan issues loom for Hatoyama in New York | International |
Eight migrants drown off Morocco: officials
Taliban leader Omar says foreign troops face defeat
Uighur film to show in Taiwan, testing China | International |
Obama to hold joint meeting with Netanyahu, Abbas
Captured Pakistani militant dies of wounds | International |
China wants more transparency in anti-graft drive | International |
Colombia softens stance on rebel hostage releases | International |
Japanese conductor wins French competition
Battle for Nina Wang's estate mesmerizes Hong Kong
Taliban leader tells 'invaders' to study history
Thaksin supporters vow new protests in Thailand
Obama to meet Netanyahu, Abbas
U. of Texas gets AP photojournalist's $7M archive
White House scouts possible Obama Copenhagen visit
Ill. scientist dies, possible plague bacteria link
Experts: Defense in Yale killing has tough job
Bombs, vid of exploding turtle found in NY search
Gates lashes out at critics of U.S. missile plan
Woman's stabbed body found at Central Park hotel
NY nuke plant siren mistakenly warns of emergency
Obama, family out in Georgetown
China spending to continue despite fears: experts
Fed expected to hold steady to back fragile recovery
30 Rock and Mad Men out to defend Emmy trophies | Entertainment |
Precious wins top Toronto film festival prize | Entertainment |
Car lovers start to dream again at Frankfurt show
"30 Rock" and "Mad Men" out to defend Emmy trophies
'Little Berlin', tiny German village divided by Wall
Heidi Fleiss loses Las Vegas dog grooming business
Riot of styles as London Fashion Week heats up
Atty: Estate deal possible in Michael Jackson case
"Precious" wins top Toronto film festival prize
Munich beer festival kicks off
Vancouver won't crack down on minor t-shirt dissent in venues
"White Stripes" get personal in new film documentary
Crisis still grips Ukraine amid IMF jitters
Khamenei slams Israel, West in holy Eid sermon
Yemen army 'kills 140 Shiite rebels' in north
SA govt wants athletics chief fired over Semenya
Kremlin says Israel promised not to strike Iran | International |
Yemen president says rebels use human shields | International |
U.N. confident Afghan vote resolved before winter | International |
Al Qaeda threatens Germany in second online video | International |
Foreign media poisoning Iran's atmosphere: Khamenei | International |
Somali rebel leader calls for more suicide attacks | International |
Juanes concert in Cuba readies for big crowd | International |
Anglican Church leader concerned about Iraq's Camp Ashraf | International |
German party says coalition with Merkel only option | International |
Three Afghans arrested in US attack probe
US serviceman killed in helicopter crash
2 Colorado men, 1 NYC man arrested in terror probe
Obama, Netanyahu, Abbas to meet amid tensions
Suspect in 4 Va. killings posted violent rap songs
Thailand's 81-year-old king hospitalized
China slams Taiwan city over Uighur film screening
US defense chief defends shift on missile shield
Stateless boy 3rd in Japan paper airplane contest
Captured Pakistan Taliban leader 'dies of injuries'
Aides: Paterson urged to reconsider NY gov race
Three suspects arrested in U.S. terrorism probe
Uighur film to show in Taiwan, angering China
Magnitude-5.1 earthquake in Mexico felt in Calif.
Japan may provide more aid to Afghanistan
Captured Pakistan Taliban commander dies in jail
Thai leader calls for peace after activists' clash
Thaksin supporters vow new protests in Thailand
Philippine troops clash with Abu Sayyaf militants
India's central bank faces tricky balancing act
Taiwan govt to 'take over' high-speed rail: report
China: Profit at state companies down last year
S.Korea's Lee asks G20 for "well-sequenced" exit strategies
TV series shows broken New Jersey city fighting back | Entertainment |
Lebanese critics blast Israeli director's 'Lebanon'
Iranian filmmaker hits out at Tehran regime
Britons find home is where the honey is
New social network with French touch unfurls in Brazil
Child misery behind Pakistan's festive bangles
Real-life 'superheroes' take to the streets in US
Kenya rainmakers called to the rescue
SKorea readies 'Asia's best track' for F1 debut
Where have east Germany's women gone?
Beyonce to perform in Malaysia despite dress code
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01