Never try to be amusing in Russian.

President Putin of Russia -- remember him, the dour-looking guy who recently displayed a Foley-esque predeliction for little boys' tummies -- is back in form.

Not to be outdone by George Bush's groping of German Chancellor Merkle, Putin recently decided to demonstrate his own unique brand of diplomatic prowess.

Commenting on the rape charges levvied against Israeli President Katsav, Putin told Israeli diplomats visiting Moscow:

What a mighty man he turns out to be! He raped 10 women - I would never have expected this from him. He surprised us all - we all envy him!

The BBC has the full story here. After admitting that the statement was in fact made, a Kremlin spokesmen made what has to be the best attempt ever at defusing a potentially tricky situation when he declared:

[...] The President was joking [...] Russian is a very complicated language, sometimes it is very sensitive from the point of view of phrasing. [...] I don't think that the proper translation is able to reflect the meaning of the joke.

Rape. Envy. How would that translate differently and be funny? But if course, a joke. Missed in translation. I bet he says that to all the women and little boys he, ahem, amuses.