Paris (AFP)
"Forgive me, forgive me a thousand times": the Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho apologized for the insult and the very un-diplomatic remarks made by President Jair Bolsonaro of France during the fire crisis in the Amazon .
"This is a rather sad video to ask my French friends for forgiveness for the crisis, I would say the hysterism of Bolsonaro compared to France, the President of France, the wife of the President of France", said in French Paulo Coelho in a video posted on his Twitter account.
The novelist born in 1947 in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most widely read authors in the world, with tens of millions of copies sold for "The Alchemist".
"While the Amazon is burning, they have no argument (and do) that insult, deny, say anything to avoid taking (their) responsibility," said the writer while talking about Brazilian leaders .
The G7 Biarritz gave rise to a ranged weapon between Bolsonaro and his French counterpart about the fires in the Amazon, leading to one of the most serious diplomatic crises between the two countries.
Offensive remarks by the Brazilian head of state about French First Lady Brigitte Macron have led the French president to openly wish, in front of the cameras of the whole world, that "the Brazilian people has very quickly a president who behaves in the height".
"This is a moment of darkness in Brazil, it will pass as the night passes (...) and I apologize," added the writer.
"Messenger of peace" of the UN, he also founded in Rio the Paulo Coelho Institute, to help poor and discriminated Brazilians, especially the elderly and children.
© 2019 AFP