(Islam versus Europe)A few days ago the Financial Times had a story about Sarkozy being mooted as the head of a 500 million euro fund backed by Qatar.
Nicolas Sarkozy is being wooed by sovereign wealth funds including Qatar’s who are ready to back him to start a private equity fund.Source: Financial Times
Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund and other investors have offered to commit as much as €500m in total to a fund run by the former French president, people familiar with the matter said. Mr Sarkozy has sought advice from close advisers on the plan.
However, he has put it on hold in recent weeks because he sees an opportunity to return to politics following the rapid decline in the polls of President François Hollande, who defeated him in May, two people familiar with Mr Sarkozy’s thinking said. “The Qataris are taking an option on the next president of France,” a third person with knowledge of the venture said.
This is far from exceptional.
Tony Blair is regularly employed by Qatar as a consultant and middleman.
A few months ago it was reported that Berlusconi was considering selling a 30% stake in AC Milan to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund.
The Gazzetta dello Sport says the deal could be worth $323 million, and would facilitate the building of a new stadium or the refurbishment of the San Siro.Source
The deal could also include aspects involving Berlusconi's media empire and the Qatari-run Al-Jazeera network.
