Last Updated Tue, 26 Nov 2002 13:10:34

OTTAWA - Françoise Ducros has resigned as Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's communications director. Ducros allegedly referred to U.S. President George W. Bush as "a moron" in Prague last week.

Reports say she made the remark to a radio reporter. Ducros offered her resignation to the prime minister last week, but he refused to accept it.

Reports say Ducros, 40, decided over the weekend to resubmit her offer to resign. This time the prime minister accepted it. She had been considering returning to the public service.

"To avoid continuing controversy, Françoise Ducros has decided to leave her position as director of communications in the Prime Minister's Office and accelerate by some weeks her planned return to the public service from which she had been seconded," Percy Downe, chief of staff, said in a statement Tuesday.

Her replacement is expected to be former TV journalist Jim Munson, who works in the prime minister's press office. Munson is expected to serve as an interim replacement for Ducros.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2002

Answers

Response to Ducros quits as Chrétien's communications director

Sounds as if she's having an extended vacation before she does what she was going to do anyway and sounds as if the PM didn't think her remark was at all unacceptable. What a load of codswallop.

Text of Resignation & Acceptance

Prime Minister:

I have reflected over the weekend on the controversy over remarks made in Prague. It is very apparent to me that the controversy will make it impossible for me to do my job. I would therefore like to leave my position as director of communications immediately. I will seek to re-enter the public service. I am grateful for the support you have given me during this difficult time. I cannot express what a great honour it has been to serve you and your government.

Dear Françoise,

I have read your letter of today and your decision to leave your position as director of communications and re-integrate into the public service a few weeks earlier than anticipated. As you take your leave, you can be proud of the fact not only that you have filled one of the most senior positions ever held by a woman in a Prime Minister's Office, but above all, of the exemplary manner in which you have carried out your duties. In your almost four years as director of communications you have served the government as a whole, and me personally, with extraordinary skill and dedication. I have always placed the highest value on your advice and counsel. And I am, indeed, pleased that as a public servant you will continue to bring these fine qualities to the service of Canada and Canadians . Aline joins me in wishing you and Ian continued success and happiness in the future.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2002

Response to Ducros quits as Chrétien's communications director

damn! now I have to wash the monitor and keyboard and mouse.

gotta warn a person when a thread has this much crap in it...

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2002