Canadian PM's Aide Resigns over 'Moron' Controversy

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 27, 2002

Canadian PM's Aide Resigns over 'Moron' Controversy

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Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien's communications director Francoise Ducros resigned over a controversy on Tuesday, a week after she was heard remarking that US President George Bush was a "moron."

Percy Downe, chief of staff in the Prime Minister's Office, said: "To avoid continuing controversy, Francoise Ducros has decided to leave her position as director of communications in the Prime Minister's Office and accelerate by some weeks her planned return to the public service from which she had been seconded."

Meanwhile, Chretien told reporters the resignation was unfortunate.

According to official sources, Chretien was advised that while Ducros was a loyal staffer, for the sake of the prime minister's legacy and for the sake of harmony with the United States she must step aside.

During a NATO meeting in Prague, Czech, last week, Ducros was overheard calling Bush a "moron" to another reporter. According to journalists in the room, she was referring to Bush's intense focuson the issue of Iraq at the meeting of NATO.

Ducros offered her resignation last Friday, but Chretien refused it, saying the comment didn't harm the Canadian-US relations.

Analysts here say the incident has underscored an already strained relationship.

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