Sarkozy Touts US-French Friendship
Bash here: OK, I am no longer mad at the French Government, listen to what Sarkozy said:
“I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France,” he said. “I think of them, and I am sad, as one is sad to lose a member of one’s family.”
Dude, first one’s on me…
WASHINGTON - French President Nicolas Sarkozy, opening a new, cozier chapter in relations with the United States, declared “our friendship and our alliance is strong” in a message readied for Congress Wednesday.
Sarkozy also told U.S. lawmakers in prepared remarks that improved relations should lead to much closer cooperation between the United States and France on a host of international problems including Iran’s nuclear program, Middle East peace and the stability of Lebanon.
Sarkozy came to Washington seeking to restore the kind of relationship that existed between Paris and Washington before sharp differences arose over the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
In his prepared remarks to lawmakers in the chamber of the House of Representatives, Sarkozy highlighted France’s long friendship with the United States. On this U.S. visit, his words—as well as his demeanor—have contrasted sharply with the style of his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who publicly clashed with Bush over Iraq.
Sarkozy expressed gratitude in the prepared speech for the U.S. role in liberating France from Nazi occupation in World War II.
“I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France,” he said. “I think of them, and I am sad, as one is sad to lose a member of one’s family.”
Sarkozy’s address to Congress highlights the improved relations. In many U.S. lawmakers boycotted a similar appearance by Chirac to protest France’s nuclear testing in the South Pacific.
Bush and Sarkozy dined at the White House Tuesday night and were traveling later Wednesday to Mount Vernon, the Virginia home of George Washington, the first U.S. president.
In his toast Tuesday night, Bush did not mention France’s opposition to the war. Instead, he spoke of working with France to help others around the world resist tyranny and oppression.
“French and American troops are helping defend a young democracy in Afghanistan,” said Bush.
For his part, Sarkozy didn’t sidestep the fact that Bush and the war in Iraq remain unpopular in his country. “I also came to say that one can be a friend of America, and yet win elections in France,” he joked during his toast at a White House dinner where the two leaders dined on lobster bisque and lamb.
That’s not something Bush would have heard from Chirac.
Iran and the Middle East peace efforts were likely to dominate Sarkozy’s discussions with Bush this week as the two countries look to build on their warmer relations and improve policy coordination.
Bush didn’t mention France’s opposition to the war. Instead, he spoke of working with France to help others around the world resist tyranny and oppression.
“French and American troops are helping defend a young democracy in Afghanistan,” said Bush, who was taking Sarkozy at midday Wednesday to Mount Vernon, which was the Virginia home of George Washington.
Sarkozy—known in France as “Sarko the American”—described the U.S.-French relationship as “simple,” yet “always beautiful.” In his remarks in the State Dining Room, he spoke with passion about freedom and liberty and the need for U.S.-French cooperation in addressing terrorism, nuclear proliferation, poverty and religious fanaticism.
Sarkozy, who was seated next to first lady Laura Bush, came to the White House alone. He and his wife, Cecilia, announced their divorce on Oct. 18, a first for a French head of state.
The U.S. and France back tough diplomacy to keep Iran from having nuclear weapons. They have jointly sponsored U.N. resolutions supporting Lebanese sovereignty. And while France fiercely opposed the war in Iraq, Sarkozy sent his foreign minister on a surprise three-day trek to Baghdad in August to enhance France’s role in Iraq’s future.
“I never quite understood why we had to fight with the United States,” Sarkozy said earlier in the day at a meeting of the French-American Business Council.
Sarkozy, an energetic 52-year-old conservative, has wasted no time in his bid to modernize France, in part by trying to inject an American- style work ethic. As a sign of his pro-American tendencies, he took a summer vacation in the United States, causing a stir back home.
AP article by Deb Riechmann here.
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This dude is awesome..welcome back France, you’re off my shit list until further notice
November 7th, 2007 at 8:17 amGreat, welcome back France.
Lets get some French troops in Iraq and lets get a unified and hawkish front on Iran
November 7th, 2007 at 8:26 amit’s a pity you discover through Sarko that we were/are not your ennemies, now that the dollar is weak, you can’t afford a trip to France or buy our products anymore, may-be only french frieds
November 7th, 2007 at 8:35 amdeathstar,
I am afraid, no french troops in Irak, what for ? you have Blackwaters ! but you need our image to recover yours among the arab world
November 7th, 2007 at 8:38 amYes Franchie, Blackwater has a whole lotta guts, prolly more than… you know, other people.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:46 amI like Sarko, he’s got guts. He should send more French troops to fight in Iraq then, but since Afghanistan is now getting a little crazy and the Marines are prolly headed there anyway, maybe he should send more French combat soldiers there.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:50 amThere ARE French COMBAT soldiers, right? I’m not trying to be mean, seriously. I don’t know much about the French military.
I watched his acceptance speech live after the election and was stunned after listening to the baby bird eating mitterand for so long that the French elected him.
I have enjoyed some French wine since then in salut to him.
Interesting that we have seen the Germans and French vote out gerhard schroeder and mitterand and elect two leaders Exwho are turning closer to the USA.
What happened? I thought we were the scourge of the world? You mean given a vote the people of Germany and French have chosen leaders who are open with their desire to tighten relations with us?
his speech is here:
http://se2.isn.ch/serviceengine/FileContent?serviceID=23&fileid=6953A8AA-D5BB-4F40-DC7F-055E5C76C050&lng=en
selected quotes from it:
“My priority will be to do everything to so that we will continue to speak, to understand, to work together. The French people have spoken. They have chosen to break with the ideas, the habits and the behavior of the past.
So I will restore work, authority, morals, respect, and merit. I will bring the Nation and national identity back to the foreground. I will give to the French the pride of France. And I will bring an end to the repentance that is a kind of self-loathing competing with the memories that nourish the hatred of others.”
“I want to reach out to our American friends to tell them they can count on our friendship which was forged in the tragedies of history that we have braved together.”
“Everyone who has been persecuted by tyranny, dictatorship, I want to say to all of the children around the world and to all of the women around the world who have been martyred, I want to say to them that France’s pride and sense of duty are on your side.”
November 7th, 2007 at 8:56 amFranchie said.
…no french troops in Irak, what for ?..
LOL.
Its sad that even the French think their military is worthless.
Look at it this way Franch, now that the Anglo-Saxon armies have all but won the war in Iraq you could send some troops so that a little of our glory rubs off on you, it could salvage Galic pride a little.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:57 amDanielle, when Bush father started the 1rst war in Irak, we were there, the war had clear goals ;
now, the 2nd one was an impulsive decision, and it hasn’t still yet prove its right goals : there are more terrorist acts since it started . I agree though it would be an error to leave the place at the moment, but Sarko will not send soldiers there, just to watch how things are going on with the iraki polices and militias ; they will be more useful in Sahel or Afghanistan, and may-be Pakistan, or Iran .
But I suppose as soon as an international organisation as UN or Nato will ask for our troops to get into Irak, I am sure there will be some
November 7th, 2007 at 9:00 amSteve in NY,
sorry, I already correct you in the Merkel post
Mitterand wasn’t Schröder ’s parter, but H. Kohl’sone ; it was Chirac who was friend with Schröder and Putin
November 7th, 2007 at 9:07 amFranchie:
Everybody loves a winner…..That’s the only reason Sarko is snuggling up to us.
Where were your candy-assed troops when we needed them? No doubt guarding supplies and rear eschelon components.
You can have the right to talk shit about the war and our country when you’ve earned it……until then, why don’t you STFU…..you miserable French-Frog
November 7th, 2007 at 10:13 amI few friendly gestures and words and a few great smiles of approval from the French are not enough to make everything better again. The French political establishment has had decades of Anit-American rhetoric and polices aimed against us.
Sarkozy’s words and gestures are a good start but were are the deeds? We don’t need their love. They need ours.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:31 amCan’t we all just get along? At least Sarkozy values freedom and recognizes we are the good guys, and wants to be allied with us. It lays waste to the claims of lefties that we have no friends in the world–since Bush has been in office, both Germany and France have turned a new leaf,Libya dis-nuclear armed, Pakistan turned into an ally (well, they are rather on shaky grounds today), countries such as Quatar and UAE solidified ties, Afghanistan’s people are free, Iraq’s people are free. On the con side, Spain went leftie prompted by a terrorist attack. That’s not a bad start.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:41 amOh, I forgot: several countries in South America went to dictatorship/leftist. Some of the only countries in the southern hemisphere like Costa Rica and Colombia are trying to be good democracies and trading partners, but the dems in congress keep trying to defeat the efforts. Because US special interest unions are exerting influence. Sad, but true. US unions trying to put a wrench in development of capitalistic democracies in S. America.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:44 amDC, look at my response to Danielle
Sarko is just showing officially (because the man is a mediatic person) that the “war on terrorism” is our both goals ; it was the same during Chirac’mendate though, but he didn’t make plubically his statment
November 7th, 2007 at 10:48 amO.K. when will the Republican party start to sound like this guy!?
November 7th, 2007 at 11:32 amYou’d be hard pressed to find this story and Sarkozy’s great relationship with the Bush Administration in the MSM. If it was Chirac bashing America it be on page one.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:39 ammitterand or chirac, same ortolan eaters aren’t they?
yes you are correct on the trio
November 7th, 2007 at 12:20 pmSteve in NY
only Mitterand, did you see a video or read the article on Fox news ?
Chirac is a great amateur of “calf head” with sauce “ravigotte” and sauerkraut
November 7th, 2007 at 12:27 pmPresidents Bush and Sarkozy are having a joint press conference rught now. You can see it on CNN or Fox. Very interesting. The two Presidents are almost in perfect agreement with one another on Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Lebanon.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:35 pmfranchie…. DC *was* responding to your post to danielle.
“…the 2nd one was an impulsive decision, and it hasn’t still yet prove its right goals : there are more terrorist acts since it started ….”
That you are more aware of terrorism does not mean there is more terrorism. The war was not “impulsive” and its “right goals” are to win.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:48 pmNow run along and STFU like DC told you.
I like what Pres. Sarkozy had to say. Things are getting more and more interesting as the various Contries are aligning themselves. I think we will see, over the next year or so, who is willing to move from ‘talking the talk’ to ‘walking the walk’.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:55 pmyeah,
I understood well DC though, but thanks for mentioning your opinion, wich remains the same as in the good old times ; I won’t argue with you though ; funny, I love Dan tonight
but as far as STFU : “comptes là-dessus et bois de l’eau”
November 7th, 2007 at 12:58 pmre political fish-
right on, it is becoming time to choose sides
domestically and internationally
……
re franchie -
fox news? you watch that channel? it is a little too left for me
November 7th, 2007 at 1:14 pma video with Bush an a french journalist (a bit long)
about the delicatessen : ortolans
Steve, not relly, just that I happen to see some news or videos on different blogs
November 7th, 2007 at 1:43 pm“accounts on top and drink water”….that’s what “comptes là-dessus et bois de l’eau” translates to…..
Wow….I guess Franchie really told me off!
November 7th, 2007 at 1:45 pmFranchie!,
“you can’t afford a trip to France or buy our products anymore, may-be only french frieds”
I honestly can’t think of one French product to buy…hmm..California wines (and women) are superior…hmmm..fire extinguishers?..Wait, you used ‘em all last year putting out all those Islamic “bonfires”…, oh yeah, white sheets! DAMN! Oh well, time for flannel anyway. vivre sarkozy!
November 7th, 2007 at 1:49 pmDC
isit the same meaning in your language ?
steve m
California wines (and women) are superior…
yeah, with chemical and “aesthetic” implants or liposucions , go on
the rest is commun rants
and vive Sarkozy (not vivre)
November 7th, 2007 at 2:20 pmfranchie - ever use lentils to pay for your cab ride?
November 7th, 2007 at 2:29 pmFRANCHIE:
No…I don’t think “accounts on top and drink water”, means STFU.
STFU means “Shut The Fuck Up” If you had an ounce of knowledge and you were as smart as you think you are, you’d know that. You’re pathetic…..you can’t even return an insult without screwing it up.
Of course, I could expect this kind of stupidity from a socialist such as you. You just don’t get it!
November 7th, 2007 at 2:31 pmest-ce que tu as l’habitude de payer tes tours en cabriolet avec des lentilles ?
you see, the translation is longer, but more imaged
is it away to tell me to drink some water (with lentils of course
) ?
November 7th, 2007 at 2:39 pmDC , I know STFU, but I tried to show some politeness though, and may-be Sully has many clones on this place, so go with him hes got a nice class of moral subtilities, I am sure you’ll find your “shits” hole there
November 7th, 2007 at 2:44 pm“are you accustomed to paying your turns in the convertible with lenses”…….
November 7th, 2007 at 2:50 pmfranchie - your not a fan of your countries greatest gift to cinema the movie ‘Delicatessen’?
hence the lentils comment
November 7th, 2007 at 2:56 pmDC
your getting weird,
have nice evening
November 7th, 2007 at 3:01 pmHi,
This should be greatest news for all the Dems…
This is all they care about right?….what the rest of the world ‘thinks of us’…now that France thinks were ‘cool’ again….were are all the Dems praising GW for this?
Peace!
November 7th, 2007 at 3:11 pmDan2
http://iraqsinconvenienttruth.com/
“I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France,” he said. “I think of them, and I am sad, as one is sad to lose a member of one’s family.”
Now this guy knoiws how to make himself welcomed…
He is welcomed … France still smells like ass….sorry Franchie
November 7th, 2007 at 3:36 pmSteve in Ny,
yes I saw the movie, but can’t remember the “lentils” sequence,
can you recall it ?
was it in the Paris undergrounds ?
November 7th, 2007 at 3:37 pmFrance still smells like ass
you mean you don’t believe him?,
he is a clever mediatic person, but I think he is sincere, he is half-jew, and even if his family wasn’t in France at war times, he knows that jews, in particularity, owe a lot to your soldiers
November 7th, 2007 at 3:52 pmDoes this mean I can stop eating Freedom Fries? Can I go around peeling off those faded bumper stickers with the French Flag with a red line through it? The only thing better is to see the W bumper stickers fade as well.
November 7th, 2007 at 6:18 pmOoooo, steve m made franchie jealous. That was such a catty and stereotypical female reaction about California women. Thanks for making me laugh.
If you want to say that they are all coligen lipped, saline titted, barbie dolls, I’d say that is a whole lot better than the French look which is a malnourished 12 year old boy strung out on heroin.
Women with some meat on them are better eatin’…
November 7th, 2007 at 9:35 pmTed B
where did you watch that movie ?
Are you sure your not mixing the centuries ; sound like a end of war report
anyway, ask the boss he knows quite a lot about “barbies”
November 8th, 2007 at 1:32 amSully,
Did you sleep well with DC ?
you need multi-pseudos to spread your rooster vanity off, nicht wahr ?
I wonder what the “Lord” thinks of your high standards of morals ?
me thinks, you’ll have to burn a long time with your sourful soul, or to reborn till you get the wiseness ; now you might live in your “hyenne” times ; don’t worry, I love animals ; but I am kind of careful one with the difficult species. You need to wear your stone up to the mountain, poor Sisyphe ; that, where I’ll be waiting for you with with a bunch of “eglantines”
November 8th, 2007 at 1:59 am“Defeat is an orphan, but victory has a thousand fathers.” Get in line, Sarko.
His best quote was something like, “Just because the US is the only major power with which France has never been at war is no reason not to be friends.”
November 8th, 2007 at 2:23 amFranchie
commun rants? or maybe common runts?..
At least California women bathe and shave legs/armpits…
Wine?..no chemicals, just good ol’ California sunshine!
Q: Why was Jesus not born in France?
A: Because they couldn’t find three wise men or a virgin.
“I`d rather have a German army in front of me, than a French army behind me.”
– General Patton
“I don`t know why people are surprised the French don`t want to help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn`t help us get the Germans out of France.”
– Jay Leno
“As far as I`m concerned, war always means failure.”
– Jacques Chirac, President of France “As far as France is concerned, you`re right.” — Rush Limbaugh
“Going to war without France is like going duck hunting without your accordion.” — Donald Rumsfeld
“The last time the French ask for `more proof` it came marching into Paris under a German flag.” — David Letterman
But lo!, Mon Dieu! Sarkozy seems to have a set! France is turning the corner!…
November 8th, 2007 at 7:28 amSteve m,
good job, I decern you the nobel price for donkey toque ;
euh, you should make an official deposit as author rights, I am afraid that some vertuous bibliothecary rat will use your statments without paying you back
November 8th, 2007 at 7:45 amFranchie, (Hic puer est stultissimus omnium!)
You really need to learn to spell in english. Your arguments may come across more accurately. Try,..Maybe.. Latin? - Commune hoc ignorantiae vitium est: quae nescias, nequicquam esse profiteri
Keep on keepin’ on.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:18 amsteve m
are you a priest ?
just to know if I ‘ll have to confess you something
November 8th, 2007 at 11:55 amFranchie,
far from it! But if your conscience is bothering you, you don’t need a priest. Take it directly to the Lord! Skip the middle-man
Enjoy your weekend
November 9th, 2007 at 11:23 am