Putin's sexual humour lost in translation, Kremlin says
Oct. 21, 2006. 01:00 AM


MOSCOWâ??President Vladimir Putin made joking references to the sexual assault accusations against Israeli President Moshe Katsav when he met the visiting Israeli prime minister.

As Ehud Olmert met the Russian leader at the Kremlin on Wednesday, reporters overheard Putin tell him: "Say hello to your president. He really surprised us."

The microphones were then cut off but Putin was overheard, adding, "I met him. He didn't look like a guy who could be with 10 women."

Olmert told his host: "I wouldn't envy him," said an Israeli, who heard the talk but sought anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the media.

Israeli police want Katsav, 60, charged with rape, aggravated sexual assault and misconduct after women who once worked for him filed complaints. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov explained away the exchange as poor translation. "In no way can (it) be considered as an approval of raping women or an appreciation of such a potential action. Sometimes translation from Russian into English does not reflect the essence of a joke."


Associated Press, Reuters