Sarkozy's first official visit to Washington

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

French President Nicolas Sarkozy begins his visit to the US on Nov.6, sealing an upturn in ties which soured over the Iraq war.(Report: H. Lippitt)

French President Nicholas Sarkozy arrived here Tuesday on his first official visit to Washington, and was set for a red-carpet welcome, amid a stunning upturn in ties which had soured over the Iraq war.

Even if the crisis over the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq never led to complete break in cross-Atlantic cooperation, relations have been notably cool for several years.

But Sarkozy, elected in May, is one of the most pro-American French leaders in decades and clearly aims to show US President George W. Bush that France has turned a page on the past.

Sarkozy constantly highlights "the historic friendship" between France and the United States, even though such talk still rankles some of his countrymen who remain wary of all things American.

Accompanied by four ministers, including Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Sarkozy arrived at Andrews air base, just outside the US capital.

The French leader was due to meet first with business leaders from the French American Business Council, decorate World War II veterans and meet the French community in Washington.

And after talks with Mayor Adrian Fenty, Sarkozy was to be the guest of honor at a glittering official dinner hosted by Bush later Tuesday.

But the highlight of the visit is set for Wednesday, when Sarkozy is due to address the two chambers of Congress.

The occasion has been hailed as "a great honor" by the French, who recall how in 1824 the Senate and the House of Representatives held their first joint session to hear a speech by another Frenchman -- the Marquis de Lafayette, the nobleman and adventurer who played a key role in the American Revolution.

The last French president to address the two chambers of Congress was Sarkozy's predecessor, Jacques Chirac, in 1996.

A French diplomat said Sarkozy was set to tell the Americans "that France is back with a real vision of the world."

He will highlight European issues and the environment, by calling on the United States to take the lead in the fight against global warming after having publicly criticized US environmental policies.

After addressing the Democratic-controlled Congress, Sarkozy will join Bush for talks to be held in Mount Vernon, the historic residence of the first American president, George Washington.

An Elysee spokesman said Bush and Sarkozy would discuss "all the main international dossiers, whether regional crises or big strategic questions."

According to French officials, the two are in close agreement on many issues such as the Iran nuclear standoff, where Paris has given strong support for the US attempt to secure stronger sanctions.

In the Middle East, France and the United States have taken a similarly strong line against Syrian involvement in Lebanon and Sarkozy has sought to improve relations with Israel.

Bush and Sarkozy met for the first time at the Group of Eight summit in Germany in June and shared a burger lunch during the French leader's American holidays in August.

That last meeting made headlines when Sarkozy's then-wife Cecilia snubbed the US president. The French president and his wife have since divorced.

There are no reactions so far.

Be the first user to react to this article.

You will only have to select the button <<REACT>> and fill the indicated fields.