DOMINIQUE Strauss-Kahn has met in a face-to-face confrontation with a Frenchwoman who says he tried to rape her, but the woman claimed he refused to apologize or even look at her during the session with investigators.
Investigators questioned the former International Monetary Fund chief and Tristane Banon on Thursday to help them decide whether to pursue charges of attempted rape brought by the 32-year-old woman.
Banon claims that Strauss-Kahn attacked her during an interview for a book in 2003. Strauss-Kahn calls the claims imaginary and slanderous. Banon said in an interview with TF1 TV station that "he kept repeating it's imaginary."
She said that Strauss-Kahn emanated "arrogance" and "coldness" during the meeting. "I thought he would excuse himself. He didn't even look at me," Banon said.
Still, Banon said that the meeting was a "first victory" for her.
Strauss-Kahn made his only public appearance since returning to France less than two weeks ago on the same show and he has not made himself available to reporters since.
Banon requested the one-on-one meeting, sometimes used in France to help officials decide if a case is worth pursuing, with Strauss-Kahn.
Strauss-Kahn quit as the head of the IMF and saw his chances for the French presidency evaporate after a New York hotel maid accused him of attempted rape in May.
The US case was later dropped amid questions about the maid's credibility, but the maid, Nafissatou Diallo, has filed a civil suit. Strauss-Kahn claimed on Monday he has diplomatic immunity and asked a New York court to dismiss the lawsuit.
French accuser Banon repeated her intention bring a civil case if Paris prosecutors decide not to go forward with a criminal case against him.
Investigators questioned the former International Monetary Fund chief and Tristane Banon on Thursday to help them decide whether to pursue charges of attempted rape brought by the 32-year-old woman.
Banon claims that Strauss-Kahn attacked her during an interview for a book in 2003. Strauss-Kahn calls the claims imaginary and slanderous. Banon said in an interview with TF1 TV station that "he kept repeating it's imaginary."
She said that Strauss-Kahn emanated "arrogance" and "coldness" during the meeting. "I thought he would excuse himself. He didn't even look at me," Banon said.
Still, Banon said that the meeting was a "first victory" for her.
Strauss-Kahn made his only public appearance since returning to France less than two weeks ago on the same show and he has not made himself available to reporters since.
Banon requested the one-on-one meeting, sometimes used in France to help officials decide if a case is worth pursuing, with Strauss-Kahn.
Strauss-Kahn quit as the head of the IMF and saw his chances for the French presidency evaporate after a New York hotel maid accused him of attempted rape in May.
The US case was later dropped amid questions about the maid's credibility, but the maid, Nafissatou Diallo, has filed a civil suit. Strauss-Kahn claimed on Monday he has diplomatic immunity and asked a New York court to dismiss the lawsuit.
French accuser Banon repeated her intention bring a civil case if Paris prosecutors decide not to go forward with a criminal case against him.
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