Czech president ‘steals’ pen on Chile trip

A video of Czech president Vaclav Klaus ham-fistedly 'stealing' a ceremonial pen during a visit to Chile has become a hit on YouTube.

In the clip, Klaus, seated at a desk next to the Chilean president Sebastian Pinera, opens the pen's presentation case and examines the implement - all the while seemingly oblivious to the cameras and the warm welcome being bestowed on him by his host.

Whoever uploaded the video has added a Pink Panther-esque backing track to add to the comedy.

Klaus nods and then seems to make the decision to pocket the pen, reportedly decorated with Chilean lapis lazuli. He hides his hands and the implement beneath the desk. His left arm can then be seen moving, presumably putting the pen into his jacket pocket.

Klaus then smiles as if he has just pulled off a conjuring trick, buttons up his jacket and closes the empty presentation case.

Since the incident happened on Sunday, Czechs have viewed the video in their droves, with the YouTube clip (above) reaching 1.3 million views by this morning. Now a Facebook campaign has been launched to urge Czechs to send pens to Klaus on May 2, because "he obviously has nothing to write with".

Actually, this couldn't be further from the truth. Klaus presumably has quite a collection of ceremonial pens from his eight years as Czech president. As he himself admits, he takes items from summits all the time: "It is what people do regularly. They keep notepads and pens from such events," he said. ·