Why France Believes the Strauss-Kahn Plot

by Roland Michel Tremblay

Fifty-seven per cent of people in France believe the head of the IMF was framed on sexual assault charges.

Le Monde confirmed in a poll conducted by CSA that for 57 per cent of the French population, Dominique Strauss-Kahn is the victim of a plot. Reviewing the French press reveals that most of the mass media in France published articles quoting political figures, including political rivals, stating that they do not believe that the sexual assault charges against Strauss-Kahn – allegedly involving a chambermaid at a New York hotel – are genuine.

In the meantime, the career of the former head of the International Monetary Fund and potential future French president, who was seen to be more favourable to people than to global corporations, is over – unless somehow public belief in his innocence could be turned to his advantage, even if found guilty by “forged” evidence.

Here is a review of some of the articles in the French press about this case.
On May 16, Le Figaro published an article entitled, “The thesis of the plot flowers on the web and with politicians,” in which the newspaper argues that the seeds of the conspiracy theory were planted when a “militant” in the UMP, a rival political party to Strauss-Kahn’s Socialists, tweeted news of Strauss-Kahn’s arrest before the press got wind of it. “Denuded of any element of proof, it has nevertheless been evoked by responsible politicians,” the paper reported.

It reported how the website Le Post questioned certain troubling facts in an article “DSK arrested: a young UMP first on the info”: “The promptness with which Jonathan Pinet relayed the information of the arrest of DSK, the fact that Arnaud Dassier, one of the investors of the site Atlantico, already author of revelations about the Porsche, would have been one of the first to have re-tweeted the information, the fact that the site 24heuresactu, reputed close to the right, was the first French site to publish the information.” Le Post mentions that Dassier was responsible for the internet campaign of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007. (The Porsche incident stems from when Strauss-Kahn, a socialist, and his wife came out of the said car in Paris in front of their home. At the time, the right took the opportunity to tarnish his image in the media.)

From Le Figaro: “Was [this] the right way of getting rid of a chief of the IMF [who was] too independent in order to instead place someone better adapted to the American economic and financial situation?”, asks Bertrand Neveu on lefigaro.fr. Interrogations linked to the inconsistencies concerning DSK’s schedule were assembled in an article in Les Echos called “Several inconsistencies remain in the DSK timeline.” The article discusses how New York police changed the facts and time of the event after it was shown that Strauss-Kahn was having lunch with his daughter at the time of the alleged offence.

However, this point is of no importance now, since the issue is becoming if sex was consensual. Supporters of Strauss-Kahn wonder why he would contact the hotel to ensure that his mobile phone, which he left behind, could be returned. This does not fit with someone who was trying to flee the scene of a crime, especially since this is apparently how the NYPD found out where they could arrest Strauss-Kahn, on a plane at JFK airport.

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Strauss-Kahn Resigns: Sex Seems Too Expensive For Him

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By STAFF Writer
THURSDAY, May 19, 2011

Maintaining his innocence while battling with sexual charges, International Monetary Fund Chairman has resigned from his post, saying he served the post with “honor and devotion”.

He sent a letter to the IMF board, denying any involvement in sexual assault with a hotel maid. In his letter he said with “greatest possible firmness” that he was not involved in any sexual transgression, giving his resignation to protect the institution, which he (said) served with dedication and honor. He further emphasized on proving his innocence, devoting his time, strength and energy.

Mr. Strauss-Kahn said that he forced to resign with “infinite sadness.”

It was earlier reported that Mr. Strauss-Kahn was placed on a suicide watch, but one of his attorneys, William Taylor, said his client was in acceptable mental condition.

“It was serious, but good," said Taylor. "He is a strong man and he is committed to seeing this through."

The resignation suddenly bewildered IMF board, igniting dispute over a successor. Presently his deputy, John Lipsky, an American, will serve as acting managing director. There are many contenders already lined up where fast growing economic nations like China, Brazil and South Africa want to break Europe’s monopoly over the post.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says developing economies can have their rights to fight for the post, but seeing the present turmoil in the eurozone demands a European IMF leader. On the other hand, Brazil's finance minister, Guido Mantega says the post should be filled on the basis on merit.

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IMF leadership battle begins as chief resigns