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November 07, 2007
Sarkozy Throws Open His Arms to Bush and the U.S.
France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, burst onto the Washington scene on Tuesday, clearly reveling in his first official visit to the White House and asking the United States to embrace him as a friend.
Mr. Sarkozy has met President Bush several times, so the brief visit was a vehicle for Mr. Bush to reward him for his friendship and for the French leader to introduce himself and his team to official Washington.
Setting aside the recent anger he has shown because of his divorce, Mr. Sarkozy backslapped and hugged his way through the day. He also proclaimed his determination to be a reliable partner of the United States.
“I come to Washington to bear a very simple message, a message that I bear on behalf of all Frenchmen,” he said in a toast at a formal White House dinner in his honor. “I want to reconquer the heart of America.”
In his toast, Mr. Bush welcomed his guest with the words “Bienvenue à la Maison-Blanche.”
Earlier in the day Mr. Sarkozy, calling France’s opposition to the American-led war in Iraq “a disagreement,” told the French American Business Council: “I never quite understood why we had to fight with the United States. I never quite got it.”
Here’s some Sarkozy quotes from tonight at the Bush’s BLack Tie Event
“I come to Washington with a very simple message. I want to reconquer the heart of America, and to reconquer the heart of America in a lasting way. I have come to tell you one thing, it is that France and the United States, we are friends, we are allies, always and forever (that is mangled from “depuis toujours et pour toujours,” sorry). I have come to tell you that we can be the friend of America and win elections in France, it is not a miracle, it is a reality. (laughter) ...”
Sarkozy also assured the audience that he had no electoral ambitions in the US:
“So here I am in Washington on a first Tuesday in November. (Laughter.) Now, I have no electoral ambitions when it comes to the U.S.even though I know it’s a very special day because it’s the day on which Americans elect their President.”
Finally, despite language that was at time painful in its diplomatic and historical niceties, Sarkozy did briefly touch on common foreign policy challenges:
“We need to take up a challenge of nuclear proliferation, of religious extremism and of fanaticism. And we need to respond to the demands and challenges of peoples who wish to claim their rightful place in a new world, the world of the 21st century — and a new order, that of the 21st century, which is no longer the order of the 20th century. And we need also, together, to find a new balance between man and nature, in order that we may save this planet of ours — and not only save it, but leave it as a legacy to our children in a better state than that in which we found it. Together we must vanquish abject poverty, because it is on abject poverty that terrorism worldwide feeds.”
“A great economy needs a great currency...You have quality labor, some extraordinary companies, you don’t need a dollar that is too weak.”
“We love America, but we love America that is true to its values...We love an America which supports creators but not speculators, we love an America that believes in free trade but also in honest competition.”
“I will say to our Chinese friends, ‘you have been spectacularly successful...you don’t need an undervalued currency to win...It is not even useful. It creates imbalances and, at the end of the day, these imbalances impact you too.”
Wild Thing's comment.......
What a difference Sarkozy is then America hating Chirac. We will see how Sarkozy does, but so far it appears he wants to be friends with America and that has hope in it.
Posted by Wild Thing at November 7, 2007 12:55 AM
Comments
I heard some of his speech on cspan. I heard he is pro American. Lets hope so Chrissie.
Posted by: patrickdaniel at November 7, 2007 06:33 AM
I wonder if he has ulterior motives or if he's really sincere.
France has been a thorn in our side for quite awhile and it's hard to trust the French.
Yes, they helped us in the Revolution, but we saved their butts in Korea and Vietnam.
It would be good to see them back with us instead of against us.
Posted by: Lynn at November 7, 2007 09:00 AM
I admire the fact that he told that news reporter to mind her own business when she questioned him about his wife.
I think he's wrong though when he said it's "on abject poverty that terrorism worldwide feeds.” The 9/11 hijackers were far from poor when they murdered innocent people. The Muslim nations are wealthy beyond belief due to oil.
Posted by: BobF at November 7, 2007 09:28 AM
He is one world leader that recognizes islam for what it is, and the dangers that islam is to the Western world. Hopefully he will project thatreality as well as Prime Minister Howard of Australia.
Also, hopefully we won't elect a next President that will leave Sarkozy out on a limb.
Posted by: TomR at November 7, 2007 11:20 AM
France's history is very mixed. In the lead-up to WWI they stood pretty much alone against German militarism, and took a beating.
They have a certain ruthlessness, too, which I like. But sometimes, when they're patting you on the back, they're looking for a place to stick the knife.
Sarkozy has an enormous job ahead of him. France's future is very grim.
Posted by: Rhod at November 7, 2007 01:29 PM
Patrick I agree I hope he is sincere and for real. It will be hard work he has ahead of him but if he is for real it sure would be nice to live to see the day France is a better person as a country.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2007 04:45 PM
Lynn I agree so much, yes, I always thought hell would have to freeze over before France would change. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2007 04:47 PM
Bob that was great, we saw that too and I was so glad he got up and walked out of the room. She was horrible and should never have asked about that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2007 04:50 PM
Tom I hadn't even tought of that but your right, that is very important too. We get this guy that maybe will stand with us against Islam and then a dem comes along and bashes fighting back.......... augh that's all we need.Not.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2007 04:53 PM
Rhod this description is so true...."sometimes, when they're patting you on the back, they're looking for a place to stick the knife"....
I just hope this man is for real and stays consistent and does not flake out on what he apprears to be. I can't trust him it is way too soon and words are easy to say, action is what speaks loudder so we will see what happens.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2007 04:56 PM
I stated this in my blog. France has, in recent decades, always stabbed the United States in the back, just to offer friendship over, and over again. What do they want from us this time?
Posted by: Robocop at November 7, 2007 08:45 PM
Nicolas 'Shark' Sakcozy saw his Paris burn last summer when the radical wahabbi islamomaniacs torched Gay Paris' neighborhoods. He realized Notre Dame's Cathedral would soon become a mosque, and the Moulin Rouge dancers would be wearing burkas shortly. I had a blast with the French Legionaire support missions during the 80's and they are world class military personnel... big time! Rewind the Peter Seller's Pink Panther movies... now! Vive la Bear Nation!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at November 8, 2007 12:09 AM
