Text 21004, 95 rader
Skriven 2011-07-18 07:21:30 av Robert Bashe (2:2448/44)
  Kommentar till text 20931 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
Ärende: Another Euro in jail
============================
Michiel van der Vlist wrote to Robert Bashe on Sunday July 17 2011 at 10:10:

MV>>> he voluntarily agreed not to leave the country.

RB>> He wasn't given the choice. His passport is still held by the justice

MV> One does not need a passport to leave a country, unless you were in
MV> the former DDR. Passports are to get IN, not to get out.

Try to get on a plane at Schipol with a destination outside the EU without a
passport sometime. Or without your personal ID even inside the EU. You'll have
a big surprise coming. And Strauss-Kahn hardly has another option than to fly
back to France, assuming he can't swim the Atlantic.

RB>> system and you can't board a flight for a destination outside the
RB>> country without a passport.

MV> That is because the airline wants to make sure you get IN at the other
MV> side, so they so not have to take you back on their cost.

Whatever the reason, without a passport he can't leave the country.

MV> But there are other ways to leave a country than by commercial
MV> airline. If DSK wants to leave the US, it would be hard to stop him.

Although that would be taken as proof of guilt and "flight to avoid
prosecution", as the term goes. Remember what happened to Roman Polanski when
he visited Switzerland? I doubt if Strauss-Kahn is interested in having to live
the rest of his life without leaving France.

MV> And of course he would not have a problem to enter France without a
MV> passport.

If he could get there without one. But he can't. And it's a good question
whether your statement is really true - people arriving from outside the EU,
you and me, have to show identification to be admitted. The French might let in
Strauss-Kahn without an ID because he's so well known - but they might also be
disinclined to do so if he suddenly showed up as a fugitive from American
justice.

MV> But he agreed to not leave the US and I suppose he will stick to that
MV> agreement.

Whatever you may conjure up in your own mind, he's certainly not in the US
voluntarily. In fact, if you remember, he was taken off a plane headed for
Paris.

RB>> As things stand, he doubtless hopes to be acquitted of all charges

MV> Given that it is an "his word against hers" and the prosecution has de
MV> facto discredited "her", I think he *expects* to be aquitted.

Maybe. Maybe he will, but that's not up to him.

RB>> and then to make a new start in France. He's out of the IMF and his
RB>> presidential chances, at least this time around, are gone - even if
RB>> he's cleared of all charges, he doesn't have enough time left to
RB>> mount a decent campaign.

MV> Yes, time is against him. No doubt him missing the presidential
MV> election will be an item when the million USD compensation claim is
MV> filed.

 ;-) Dream on.

RB>> And then there's the other charge awaiting him in France - a strange
RB>> one dating from a claimed sexual indiscretion nine full years ago,
RB>> but still something to be faced.

MV> And probably be dismissed.

You certainly are convinced of things you have no direct insight on.

MV> Waiting nine years and then jumping on the band wagon when he is
MV> charged in another case, does not make a strong case.

I agree, but if you'll remember, it was you who were always wanting to
establish innocence or guilt in a court proceeding. What's happening now should
be to your liking.

MV> Also keep in mind that in France they take a totally different look on
MV> people having affairs than in the US.

Who are you trying to convince - me or yourself?

MV> The best thing for him would be to retire, he is old enough for it and
MV> rich enough to do it in comfort. Let us wait for his memoirs to be
MV> published.

At any rate, they would be a hot seller ;-)

Cheers, Bob

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