G8 Geneva: Security Minister Spoerri Attempts Shameless PR Stunt At Guys Bedside
imc london crew | 08.06.2003 10:22
Saturday 7th June 03 - Geneva
This morning Micheline Spoerri, the minister of security in charge of the policing operation for the G8 tried to gain access to imc volunteer and agency photographer Guy Smallman as he lay in his hospital bed recovering from yet another operation on his leg.
Spoerri has been widely criticised in the swiss press for her handling of the policing throughout the G8 summit and there have been calls for her resignation.
On Monday she telephoned the hospital to request a meeting with Guy, but this was refused on his legal advice. On the same day the Chief of the Geneva police similarly requested a meeting, but this was also turned down.
On Saturday the Head Surgeon at the Hospital entered Guys room, asked his visitors to leave (which they did) and asked him if he would allow a visit from minister Spoerri. This was explained as a courtesy visit to make sure he was ok and just shake his hand. Guy, still hazy from painkillers, explained that on legal advice he would not meet with anyone in an official capacity, but that they were free to contact his lawyers.
The Surgeon again asked, this time saying - cant you just do this one little thing for us after all we have done for you - stating that Spoerri was in fact just outside his room, waiting in the corridor. The request was again firmly but politely refused and the surgeon turned on his heels and left the room after a cursory examination of Guys press credentials.
Unknown to Guy, just outside his door not only lurked minister Spoerri, but also a press photographer, there to capture "moving" images of Spoerri at Guys bedside - politically useful at a most difficult time for her. This was obviously just a PR stunt to attempt to appease criticism, and was most certainly not a visit to enquire after Guys health, or heaven forbid, apologise for the police blowing his leg apart.
In the corridor both Spoerri and her photographer, as well as the head surgeon, quickly left when another visitor to Guy arrived and began taking pictures of them.
ends.
(NB news of this incident hit the swiss newswire yesterday)
This morning Micheline Spoerri, the minister of security in charge of the policing operation for the G8 tried to gain access to imc volunteer and agency photographer Guy Smallman as he lay in his hospital bed recovering from yet another operation on his leg.
Spoerri has been widely criticised in the swiss press for her handling of the policing throughout the G8 summit and there have been calls for her resignation.
On Monday she telephoned the hospital to request a meeting with Guy, but this was refused on his legal advice. On the same day the Chief of the Geneva police similarly requested a meeting, but this was also turned down.
On Saturday the Head Surgeon at the Hospital entered Guys room, asked his visitors to leave (which they did) and asked him if he would allow a visit from minister Spoerri. This was explained as a courtesy visit to make sure he was ok and just shake his hand. Guy, still hazy from painkillers, explained that on legal advice he would not meet with anyone in an official capacity, but that they were free to contact his lawyers.
The Surgeon again asked, this time saying - cant you just do this one little thing for us after all we have done for you - stating that Spoerri was in fact just outside his room, waiting in the corridor. The request was again firmly but politely refused and the surgeon turned on his heels and left the room after a cursory examination of Guys press credentials.
Unknown to Guy, just outside his door not only lurked minister Spoerri, but also a press photographer, there to capture "moving" images of Spoerri at Guys bedside - politically useful at a most difficult time for her. This was obviously just a PR stunt to attempt to appease criticism, and was most certainly not a visit to enquire after Guys health, or heaven forbid, apologise for the police blowing his leg apart.
In the corridor both Spoerri and her photographer, as well as the head surgeon, quickly left when another visitor to Guy arrived and began taking pictures of them.
ends.
(NB news of this incident hit the swiss newswire yesterday)
imc london crew
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