Paris, Nov. 6, 2007 -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy is heading to the United States on his first official trip committed to showing that France has emerged as a close US partner following the 2003 clash between Paris and Washington over the Iraq war.

 

During his two-day visit, Sarkozy is to hold talks with US President George W. Bush as well as deliver a speech to the US Congress, a highly symbolic moment, analysts agree. For some, Sarkozy has signaled the end of an era in transatlantic relations; for others, he is honeymooning with a lame duck president.

 

 

 

"The aim of this trip is to seal the renewal of ties between France and the United States following the crisis of 2003," Sarkozy’s spokesman David Martinon told reporters early this week.

Relations between Paris and Washington deteriorated sharply under Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac who spearheaded global opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. “This meeting could potentially be the opening of a new era of relations between France and the United States,” says Charles Kupchan, professor of international relations at the Washington-based Georgetown University.

 

Last week, a top US diplomat said he regretted the French-bashing that took place during the Iraq invasion. "I surely hope that those Americans who renamed French fries into freedom fries realize what foolishness that was," said US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns. Kupchan confirms that Sarkozy enjoys a “good image” in the US and is perceived as “a breath of fresh air”.

 

He admits though that it is too soon to say how relations will evolve: “So far, we have seen much happy-talk and not much follow-through.”

 

 

 

At home, pundits and politicians are less enthusiastic. Sarkozy’s politics are often perceived as being too overtly pro-US – even among certain members of his own rightwing party who remain attached to the Gaullist vision of a strong, independent France.

 

François Sergent, a chief editor of French left-wing daily Liberation and former correspondent in Washington, says improved relations between the two countries are only relative. “The warming of transatlantic relations is somewhat shallow; disagreements over the exchange rate of the dollar, climate change and NATO, etc., have not been overcome.”

 

According to him, the extend to which the men can work together is limited by animosity – at home and abroad - against Bush and the uncertainty of upcoming elections in the US.

 

Leftwing French politicians are also quick to criticize Sarkozy’s overtures to Washington. Marie-Noelle Liemann, MEP and former Socialist minister for Housing, finds the friendship that binds Sarkozy and Bush “absurd”. “France has always been perceived as an autonomous actor in many parts of the world, in the Arab world, in Lebanon, in Russia, in Afghanistan,” she notes. “I don’t see why we should lower ourselves and join the ranks of those who obey the US.”

 

 

 

"Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Middle East peace process, Kosovo, Burma, Afghanistan and Darfur, Trade, NATO, transatlantic relations, climate and energy security" will be some of the issues addressed by the statesmen, according to White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

 

But according to Kupchan, “Iran will be top of the agenda, because we have reached a crucial stage in negotiations sanctions on Iran.” The US president, who recently imposed new sanctions on Iran, wants the UN Security Council to approve a third round of its own punitive measures and needs France -- a permanent council member -- to be on board.

 

“I believe France is ready to turn up the heat on Iran,” says Kupchan, “even if it means taking action outside the framework of the Security Council”. But while the two leaders may agree on tighter sanctions, it is less likely they will agree on military action. “If Bush decides to bomb Iran, I’m not sure the French would agree,” says Sergent.

 

Russia’s world policies, including Moscow's relations with Tehran and its track record on civil and human rights, are also likely to dominate the meeting.