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'RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS THE FREEDOM TO HOPE'

Meeting a well-known French journalist, one who heads French Television channel 2 was an invitation one did not want to refuse. A short bespectacled gentleman who seems to be very calm on the exterior,...

but has obviously ruffled a lot of feathers with the launch of his book Sarko Star in French, Michael Darmon was on a one-day visit to Dubai to launch his book recently. He spoke on various issues ranging from French politics, fashion, and food and described Dubai as the wonderland of the 21st century.

'I have read history and heard people about dreaming a great future for their country. But Dubai is a place that has really leapt into the next league itself and miles ahead of even many European countries in terms of vision and planning,' he says.

Sarko Star his third book already into its way of becoming a bestseller is basically an expression of Nicholas Sarkozy inner thoughts and dormant desires to revamp the French government. The former French finance minister is expected to be a potent rival to President Jacques Chirac in the 2007 presidential elections. Whether Sarkozy, the youngish 49-year-old incarnation of a politician who combines the energy, vitality and blends it with modernity is able to outsmart the 72 year old Chirac remains to be seen, but the book for the moment has presented a picture of a man who has been potrayed as a man who 'rejuvenate French politics!' City Times spoke to Michael Darmon.

How do you feel about the book and the publicity associated with it?

Apart from being the accredited journalist for Nicolas Sarkozy, I view this book as a very important force that can influence French politics. The book throws a lot of insight into the revolutionary ideas and thoughts of the new rival to Chirac in the next presidential elections, and people are responding to his ideologies with a lot of gusto. Still there are around two years to go for the next elections, but a whole round of publicity has already been generated. France has always been a forerunner in terms of revolutionary thought-process and Mr. Sarkozy idea to install many minorities into the mainstream of French economy and politics is being hailed as a welcome move.

Don't you think that his leaning towards religion is very alien to the French culture, which is very republican and secular in nature?

Yes. France is experiencing a new public opinion through him. Around five million of French Muslims can identify with his ideologies and they certainly constitute a great deal to the French economy. Sarkozy feels religious freedom is the freedom to hope. Spirituality has been called upon to rescue the values of the Republic.

How do you feel your life as a political journalist in terms of fulfillment?

Right from the beginning I have always been fascinated by politics and how it influences nations. Being a political journalist is not always a very pleasant job as it involves a lot of political, physical and emotional risk. Sometimes one may not agree in principle, but the job entails a lot of unattached reporting and you can't afford to get emotionally carried away. Being the head of the political section of the French television Channel 2 also helps me to express and gain insights in world politics.

Any prerequisites to be a successful journalist?

Curiosity and the thirst to discover! A journalist must never cease to be fascinated by anything around him.

Any New Year resolutions?