Phyrric Victory
I don't know why the old hound dog - Dominique Strauss-Kahn (62) - was regarded as such a big cheese at the IMF (International Monetary Fund) - because his command of strategy and tactics leaves much to be desired.
The French courts have thrown out an accusation against DSK - of attacking a young woman - Tristane Banon - in Paris in 2003.
Banon claimed that DSK had behaved like a 'rutting chimpanzee' - when she was trying to conduct an interview with him - and that she literally had to fight him off.
The French judges decided that a while sexual encounter between the two had taken place - and that DSK had been unecessarily violent - a criminal case could not now be brought.
Because the statute of limitations in France - is only three years for sexual assault - and it is eight years have elapsed since the incident involving DSK .
A spokesman for the Paris prosecutors' office said:
"It is clear that, for lack of sufficient proof, a prosecution may not be initiated over the count of attempted rape, but facts that could be described as sexual assault have meanwhile been recognised".
In other words DSK wins on a technicality - because it is too late to press charges for sexual assault.
Tristan Banon's lawyer said his client she had been "victorious" - and that Mr Strauss-Kahn was now an "unconvicted sex attacker".
The case against DSK will now be taken up in the French civil courts - and events in Paris of course follow on from DSK's arrest in New York in May 2011 - on charges of attempting to rape a hotel chambermaid.
The incident in New York led to Tristan Banon complaining to the authorites in France - which triggered a formal police investigation.
DSK has always denied Tristan Banon's allegations - just as he denied attacking the 'maid' in Manahattan - though he did admit kissing her and making a pass at her.
Which just goes to show that DSK lived in America too long - where a 'pass' is a colloquial term for making a sexual advance.
Whether DSK's 'pass' had all the subtlety of a 'rutting chimpanzee' - DSK has failed to say.
But it was clearly inappropriate behaviour for a man of his age and public standing - and in light of all the circumstances.
Just as it was in New York - where DSK faces another civil trial.
Men who behave in this predatory sexual way follow the same pattern of behaviour over and over again.
And in DSK's case the pattern is all too clear.
The French courts have thrown out an accusation against DSK - of attacking a young woman - Tristane Banon - in Paris in 2003.
Banon claimed that DSK had behaved like a 'rutting chimpanzee' - when she was trying to conduct an interview with him - and that she literally had to fight him off.
The French judges decided that a while sexual encounter between the two had taken place - and that DSK had been unecessarily violent - a criminal case could not now be brought.
Because the statute of limitations in France - is only three years for sexual assault - and it is eight years have elapsed since the incident involving DSK .
A spokesman for the Paris prosecutors' office said:
"It is clear that, for lack of sufficient proof, a prosecution may not be initiated over the count of attempted rape, but facts that could be described as sexual assault have meanwhile been recognised".
In other words DSK wins on a technicality - because it is too late to press charges for sexual assault.
Tristan Banon's lawyer said his client she had been "victorious" - and that Mr Strauss-Kahn was now an "unconvicted sex attacker".
The case against DSK will now be taken up in the French civil courts - and events in Paris of course follow on from DSK's arrest in New York in May 2011 - on charges of attempting to rape a hotel chambermaid.
The incident in New York led to Tristan Banon complaining to the authorites in France - which triggered a formal police investigation.
DSK has always denied Tristan Banon's allegations - just as he denied attacking the 'maid' in Manahattan - though he did admit kissing her and making a pass at her.
Which just goes to show that DSK lived in America too long - where a 'pass' is a colloquial term for making a sexual advance.
Whether DSK's 'pass' had all the subtlety of a 'rutting chimpanzee' - DSK has failed to say.
But it was clearly inappropriate behaviour for a man of his age and public standing - and in light of all the circumstances.
Just as it was in New York - where DSK faces another civil trial.
Men who behave in this predatory sexual way follow the same pattern of behaviour over and over again.
And in DSK's case the pattern is all too clear.
