Czech president steals pen

Czech president steals pen Czech President Vaclav Klaus has caused a diplomatic stir after a video showed him discreetly pocketing a ceremonial pen during a visit to Chile.

The film shows Klaus admiring the pen during a news conference with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, then holding it under the table where he appears to put it in his pocket.

It has attracted more than 100,000 views on YouTube in just two days. The story has also made front page news in The Czech Republic.

Klaus brushed off the incident claiming it was common practice to take stationery from meetings.

"This is what people usually do - take a notepad or a pen from events they attend".