U.S. 'can count on France': Sarkozy

[Praxius]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, told a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress that it would be 'unacceptable' for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

U.S. 'can count on France': Sarkozy

The United States "can count on France" in the fight against Iran's nuclear program and terrorism in Afghanistan, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday. Sarzoky's address to more than 500 congressional members in Washington came as part of a two-day visit that is seen as an attempt to ease tensions between the two countries. Sarkozy entered office in May and pledged to fix relations with the United States, left badly frayed under former president Jacques Chirac, whose vocal opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was viewed as the low point of a bitter and often combative relationship with U.S. President George W. Bush. During his speech, Sarkozy reiterated his support for the U.S.'s increasingly tough stance against Iran's nuclear enrichment program, saying the prospect of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons is "unacceptable to France." "Together we must fight to defend and promote the values and ideals of freedom and democracy that men such as Washington and Lafayette invented together," Sarkozy said, making reference to the French military officer who fought alongside George Washington's colonial army during the American revolutionary war. "America can count on France." Sarkozy has led international calls for an end to Iran's nuclear program, which ramped up in 2006 when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad confirmed the country had resumed small-scale uranium enrichment. The United Nations Security Council imposed a second set of sanctions on Iran in March for its refusal to suspend enrichment programs and set a 60-day deadline for Iran to close down its program. But Tehran scoffed at the measures and has vowed to continue its enrichment, which it says is for peaceful purposes. Sarkozy's foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, warned in September that the world should prepare for war if Iran obtains nuclear weapons. During his address Wednesday, Sarkozy also hinted France would soon return to the command structure of NATO and "assume its full role" in the alliance after spending several decades outside it. 'Sarko the American' The standing ovation the French president received was a much warmer reception from members of Congress than Chirac got in 1996, when some boycotted his speech in protest. Sarkozy previously said the purpose of his visit was "to reconquer the heart of America in a lasting fashion." Bush toasted Sarkozy on Tuesday night at a gala White House dinner, praising France's role in supporting young democracies in Afghanistan and Lebanon. Sarkozy in turn toasted the shared "solidarity" held between the two countries and said differences over Iraq should not weaken their alliance. After Sarkozy's address to Congress, he and Bush were to hold talks at George Washington's Virginia home, Mount Vernon. In addition to supporting the U.S. internationally, Sarkozy has praised American culture and way of life, which in his home country has earned him the nickname "Sarko the American." Sarkozy chose to spend his August vacation in the U.S. and stopped by the Bush family home in Maine for an informal lunch and boat ride. But the seemingly friendly relations ahead of this trip led some U.S. newspapers to refer to Sarkozy as Bush's "new poodle" — the nickname that haunted former British prime minister Tony Blair for his support of the U.S. in the Iraq invasion.

So will this finally mean the end of Freedom Fries?

[brien]

I can once again, French Kiss.....:)

[jose]

In the mid 1970s, Iran also signed nuclear power construction contracts with France

ZNet Commentary: How The United States Supplied Iran With Nuclear Know How

The influential French daily Le Figaro last week revealed that the French leader once worked for --and perhaps still does, it hinted -- Israeli intelligence as a sayan (Hebrew for helper), one of the thousands of Jewish citizens of countries other than Israel who cooperate with the katsas (Mossad case-officers).

Leading Egyptian Weekly Picks up on Le Figaro's Sarkozy/Mossad Story | Wake Up From Your Slumber

[another day]

Hah...looks like france continues the surrendering trend by latching onto the us for safety. "If you can't beat em, or would rather not even try, join em"

[Compugasm]

Great, those extra 5 supply clerks they supply will help.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Praxius U.S. 'can count on France': Sarkozy So will this finally mean the end of Freedom Fries?

It is going to be called "Sarkozy Fries" , from now :-)

The United States "can count on France" in the fight against Iran's nuclear program and terrorism in Afghanistan, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday.

Is Nicolas going to join U.S. in order to curb Russia's efforts on strategic energy re-sources and/or domination over Europe ?
I would to like to hear Moscow and Tehran reaction on that event.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Praxius French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, told a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress that it would be 'unacceptable' for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) U.S. 'can count on France': Sarkozy So will this finally mean the end of Freedom Fries?

Talk about kissing up!

[Praxius]

kissing up indeed.... what did he say again?

"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."

The US wasn't the only country to liberate France.... and didn't France basically help create the US? Seems even to me.

But that's not what I was looking for exactly.... oh well....

This is interesting though:

Earlier, in a speech to the American Jewish Committee, Sarkozy supported Iran as having a right to civilian nuclear power. If denied, he said, extremist influence in Iran will grow. Sarkozy, receiving an award from the Jewish group as a tireless promoter of democratic values, human rights and peace, said "there should be a dialogue developed with Iran" that acknowledges its development of civilian nuclear energy. "I believe that Arab countries, including Iran have a right to civilian nuclear power," Sarkozy said, specifically including Syria among them.

yet he is backing the US on the talks of Iran with Nuclear weapons?

Sarkozy has led calls for an end to Iran's nuclear program, which ramped up in 2006 when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad confirmed the country had resumed small-scale uranium enrichment. Sarkozy's foreign minister has suggested that war is inevitable unless Iran changes its course.

then I seen this.... he's somewhat balanced I suppose:

Mr. Bush and Mr. Sarkozy expressed hope that the standoff can be resolved peacefully. Tehran insists it wants nuclear technology strictly for civilian purposes, which Mr. Sarkozy acknowledged was its right.

[Nono]

Quote by: another day Hah...looks like france continues the surrendering trend by latching onto the us for safety. "If you can't beat em, or would rather not even try, join em"

Would you care to attempt to explain this?

You could start by comparing the French with the Brits in the realm of ass-kissing allegiance to the US. (Or the Canadians under the Harper regime.)

As for not being able to beat 'em, the US is doing quite nicely beating itself to a pulp at the moment. No need to help.

[brien]

Perhaps the "old allies" Grt Britain, France and Germany are thinking that the ME could maybe get a lot worse before it gets any better and therefore, it may be time to come back to the roost.

And as they do, perhaps they will be able to help shape and influence allied foreign policy more than they did during the Bush Administration. Hopefully the US will listen more to it allies rather than seek to bully them around into submission on a monolithic mission of destruction. Let's hope so.

[grandpa]

Quote by: brien Perhaps the "old allies" Grt Britain, France and Germany are thinking that the ME could maybe get a lot worse before it gets any better and therefore, it may be time to come back to the roost. And as they do, perhaps they will be able to help shape and influence allied foreign policy more than they did during the Bush Administration.

Maybe The Office of Strategic Influence has been successful:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/19/in...odaysheadlines

Grandpa h.