US furious at Belgian minister’s vote comment

30 January 2004

BRUSSELS – Washington has reacted furiously to Belgian Defence Minster Andre Flahaut’s comment that he would vote Democrat if he were an American, the Belgian press reported on Friday.

US foreign minister Colin Powell complained to his Belgian opposite number Louis Michel about the remarks, which Flahaut made during an interview with the satirical newspaper ‘Humo’.

Acting “at the White House’s request”, Powell told Michel that Flahaut’s remarks represented “unacceptable interference” in US domestic politics.

When Humo questioned Flahaut about this year’s presidential elections in the defence minister replied, “if I were American I would vote Democrat”.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Belgian news