In Moscow, Berlusconi describes Obama as 'young, handsome and well tanned'
The Associated Press
Published: November 6, 2008

MOSCOW: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy described President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday as "young, handsome and well tanned."

Berlusconi appeared to be joking about America's first black president at a news conference following talks with the Russian president.

The Italian leader, who has a history of controversial remarks, was asked by a reporter about the prospect for U.S.-Russian relations, which have plummeted in recent months.

Berlusconi responded by saying that the relative youth of the Russian president, Dmitri Medvedev, 43, and Obama, 47, should make it easier for Moscow and Washington to work together.

Then he said, smiling, that he had told Medvedev that Obama "has everything needed in order to reach deals with him: he's young, handsome and well tanned."

News agencies said Berlusconi later defended the remark, calling the statement "a great compliment."

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