Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigns as head of the IMF

Press release from the International Monetary Fund's website:
"IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn Resigns
Press Release No. 11/187
May 18, 2011
Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn today informed the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of his intention to resign as Managing Director with immediate effect. Mr. Strauss-Kahn made the following statement in a formal letter of resignation to the Board:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board:
It is with infinite sadness that I feel compelled today to present to the Executive Board my resignation from my post of Managing Director of the IMF.
I think at this time first of my wife—whom I love more than anything—of my children, of my family, of my friends.
I think also of my colleagues at the Fund; together we have accomplished such great things over the last three years and more.
To all, I want to say that I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me.
I want to protect this institution which I have served with honor and devotion, and especially—especially—I want to devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn
The Fund will communicate in the near future on the Executive Board's process of selecting a new Managing Director. Meanwhile, Mr. John Lipsky remains Acting Managing Director."

Source: http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2011/pr11187.htm 

This is a very interesting statement. I don't mean so much the fact that DSK has resigned but the tenor or pitch of what he has said here. This statement very much seems to come from the heart but frankly contradicts everything we have been led to believe. The most damning evidence against DSK IMHO is the claim by the 31 year old goddaughter of his former wife Tristane Banon (a TV jounalist) that he tried the same thing 8 years ago. What would she have to gain now by claiming this if it were not true? What about her mother who is a leading exex in the Socialist party (and therefore no possible agenda aganst DSK) who claimed on TV that she now regrets greatly persuading her daughter not to press charges?

I believe DSK is an incredibly talented, clever individual who served France well as Finance Minister, the IMF very well as its MD who however suffers from a character flaw when it comes to women and who has managed to get away with probably a great deal and has abused his positions of power. Remember France has a much more relaxed attitude to sexual misconduct than other countries such as my vountry Britain or the United States.

Cannot agree more with you Simon Phillips. Also, it was really well known in France that DSK was a womanizer ("coureur de jupons" in French). I would not say anything about the 31year old woman mainly because even if her mum is part of the Socialist Party we have to be really careful about it. Many people inside the Socialist Party dislike DSK (too liberal).

On the part about "France has a much more relaxed attitude to sexual misconduct": in France we do not care so much about French politics having adulterous relationships, however if DSK tried to rape this woman, no one will have a relax attitude in France about it. 

Had not considered your point ... that not everyone in Socialist Party would necessarily support DSK. I suppose also given this girl's mother is the friend of his EX not his present wife, there could be a hidden agenda there too.

Concerning my comments about French attituide's to sex. Sorry I went too far with my remarks. Naturally people in France would have the same standards as us Brits when it came to offences such as rape. In fact I like the fact that you French have a more relaxes attitude to affairs but of course what we are discussing here in something much more serious than that.

What did you think of the "perp walk"?

I have always found the need in the US to handcuff people who present no flight risk and then call in photographers from the Press to cover the demeaning event really inappropriate.

The main difference with the French system too is that in France we think that people are not guilty first, which is the complete opposite in the US. That's the main reason why this perp walk shocked a lot of people in France.