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Sarkozy Throws Open His Arms to Bush, and the U.S.
The New York Times ^ | November 7, 2007 | ELAINE SCIOLINO

Posted on 11/06/2007 9:59:02 PM PST by Cincinna

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.”

Mr. Sarkozy arrived in Washington without a spouse but with some of the women who reflect the diversity of his cabinet: Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, a former chairman of a Chicago-based law firm, Baker & McKenzie; Justice Minister Rachida Dati, who has a Moroccan father and an Algerian mother; and Rama Yade, his 31-year-old Senegalese-born subminister of foreign affairs and human rights, whom Mr. Sarkozy calls his “Condi Rice.” (snip)

Mr. Sarkozy awarded the Legion of Honor on Tuesday to seven World War II veterans, including Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: allies; allyfrance; bush; france; sarkozy; wot
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1 posted on 11/06/2007 9:59:04 PM PST by Cincinna
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To: Cincinna

This cannot be happening in my lifetime...


2 posted on 11/06/2007 10:00:24 PM PST by Professional
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To: Cincinna

Allons-y!


3 posted on 11/06/2007 10:01:11 PM PST by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: Cincinna

Je t’aime M. Sarkozy! Vive la France!


4 posted on 11/06/2007 10:03:10 PM PST by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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To: Cincinna
Setting aside the recent anger he has shown because of his divorce

He's not the only man who has had enough and cast off a socialist wife in the past few years. So many women are succumbing to the Hillary-side over here, I'd expect a bumper crop for the divorce lawyers this election season.

5 posted on 11/06/2007 10:05:51 PM PST by JennysCool (Don't taze me, Bro!)
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To: nctexan; MassachusettsGOP; paudio; ronnie raygun; Minette; fieldmarshaldj; BillyBoy; untenured; ...


SARKO AT TONIGHT'S DINNER
GETS THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE


6 posted on 11/06/2007 10:06:25 PM PST by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: nctexan; MassachusettsGOP; paudio; ronnie raygun; Minette; fieldmarshaldj; BillyBoy; untenured; ...


SARKO AT TONIGHT'S DINNER
GETS THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE


7 posted on 11/06/2007 10:07:21 PM PST by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: Cincinna

Great pic! Thanks!


8 posted on 11/06/2007 10:07:28 PM PST by JennysCool (Don't taze me, Bro!)
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To: nctexan; MassachusettsGOP; paudio; ronnie raygun; Minette; fieldmarshaldj; BillyBoy; untenured; ...

Guest list for Tuesday night’s dinner at the White House in honor of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, as released by the White House.

Bernard Accoyer, president of the French National Assembly.

Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman of the board, Las Vegas Sands Hotel, and Dr. Miriam Adelson (wife).

Judith Ansley, deputy assistant to the president, and Stephen Ansley (husband).

Bruce Benson, president of Benson Mineral Group Inc., and Marcy Benson (wife).

Tom A. Bernstein, president of Chelsea Piers Management Inc.

James H. Billington, librarian of Congress, and Marjorie A. Billington (wife).

Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Abigail Perlman Blunt (wife).

Samuel W. Bodman, secretary of energy, and Diane Bodman (wife).

Joshua Bolten, assistant to the president and chief of staff.

Former Sen. John B. Breaux, D-La., and Lois Breaux (wife).

Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer and Dr. Joanna Breyer (wife).

Nancy G. Brinker, chief of protocol at the State Department, and Eric Brinker (son).

Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish in Louisiana, and Karen Broussard (wife).

Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express Co., and Kathryn Chenault (wife).

Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne V. Cheney.

Harlan R. Crow, chairman and CEO of Crow Holdings, and Kathy Crow (wife).

Rachida Dati, French minister of justice.

Robert A. Day, chairman of Trust Company of the West, and Kelly Day (wife).

Xavier de Sarrau, French lawyer.

Philippe Douste-Blazy, former French secretary of state.

Joey Durel, city-parish president of Lafayette in Louisiana, and Lynne Durel (wife).

John P. Ellis, partner of Kerr Creek Partners.

Susan R. Smith Ellis, CEO of the (Red) AIDS initiative.

Gay Gaines, former regent of the board of directors of Mount Vernon, and Stanley N. Gaines (husband).

Ed Gillespie, counselor to the president, and Cathy Gillespie (wife).

Paul Girod, member of the French parliament.

Louis Giscard D’Estaing, deputy of Puy-de-Dome in France.

Thomas Glavine, major league baseball pitcher, and Christine Glavine (wife).

Mark Guzzetta, president of the Gemstone Development Corp., and Leigh Martin (guest).

Stephen J. Hadley, national security adviser, and Ann Hadley (wife).

John Hager, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, and Margaret Hager (wife).

Donald Hall Sr., chairman of the board of Hallmark Cards Inc., and Adele Hall (wife).

Wayne Hughes, chairman of the board of trustees at Public Storage, and Patricia Whitcraft (guest).

Yves Jego, member of the French parliament.

Olivier Knox, White House correspondent for the AFP, and Dr. Jennifer Lewis (wife).

Doro Bush Koch, sister to the president.

Bernard Kouchner, French minister of foreign and European affairs.

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Caryll Kyl (wife).

Christine Lagarde, French minister of economy, finances and employment.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Frank Snellings (husband).

Edward P. Lazear, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Vicky Lazear (wife).

Howard H. Leach, president of Leach Capital Corp. and former ambassador to France, and Gretchen Leach (wife).

Serge Lemoine, chairman of the Orsay Museum in France.

Stuart Levey, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department, and Annette Levey (wife).

Jean-David Levitte, diplomatic adviser to the French president.

Maurice Levy, French president of the French-American Business Council and chairman CEO of Publicis Groupe

Henri Loyrette, chairman of the Louvre Museum in France.

Kevin Martin, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Catherine Martin, deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of communications for policy planning at the Office of Communications.

Nadine Morano, member of the French parliament.

Samuel Palmisano, chairman, president and CEO of IBM Corp., and Missy Palmisano (wife).

Laurence Parisot, chairwoman of the French Business Confederation.

Henry M. Paulson Jr., secretary of the treasury, and Wendy Paulson (wife).

Robert Pence, of Pence Friedel Developers Inc., and Suzy Pence (wife).

Ross Perot Jr., chairman of the board at Perot Systems Corp., and Sarah Perot (wife).

Mary E. Peters, secretary of transportation, and Travis Matheson (guest).

Bill Plante, White House correspondent for CBS, and Robin Smith (wife).

James C. Rees, executive director of Historic Mount Vernon, and Susan Magill (guest).

Condoleezza Rice, secretary of state.

Arthur J. Rothkopf, president emeritus of Lafayette College and senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Barbara Rothkopf (wife).

Leonard Sands, founding partner and chairman of Alchemy Worldwide, and Corrine Sands (wife).

Thomas A. Saunders III, president and CEO at Ivor & Co. LLC, and Jordan Saunders (wife).

Guy Savoy, French chef.

Dick Scarlett III, president and CEO of United Bancorp of Wyoming, and Maggie Scarlett (wife).

Dwight C. Schar, president and CEO of NVR Inc., and Martha Schar (wife).

Harold C. Simmons, chairman of Valhi Inc., and Annette Simmons (wife).

Former Sen. Alan K. Simpson, R-Wyo., and Ann S. Simpson (wife).

Frederick W. Smith, chairman and CEO of FedEx Corp., and Diane Smith (wife).

Dick Spangler, director of National Gypsum Co., and Meredith Spangler (wife).

Craig Stapleton, U.S. ambassador to France, and Debbie Stapleton (wife).

Beatrice Stern, French antiquarian.

Virginia Stuller, co-chair of the 2007 Marquis de Lafayette Commemoration Committee, and Sharon Burdick (guest).

Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and Cecile Tauzin (wife).

Pierre Vimont, French ambassador to the United States.

Jeanne Warner, wife of Sen. John Warner, R-Va.

Kenneth Weinstein, CEO of Hudson Institute, and Amy Kaufmann (wife).

Guy Wildenstein of France.

Rama Yade, French minister of state and minister of foreign affairs, foreign affairs and human rights.

Raul Yanes, assistant to the president and staff secretary, and Sara Hazelwood (wife).

Amy S. Zantzinger, special assistant to the president and White House social secretary at the White House Social Office.


9 posted on 11/06/2007 10:08:34 PM PST by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: Cincinna

Am I going to have to start buying French wine again?


10 posted on 11/06/2007 10:09:57 PM PST by I_like_good_things_too
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To: Cincinna

Interesting that the NYT includes Bush in the headline. They didn’t have to.


11 posted on 11/06/2007 10:16:13 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: All


PRESIDENTS BUSH AND SARKOZY RAISE THEIR GLASSES IN A TOAST

Lifting their glasses to each other's health, Sarko and George W. toasted. One more thing they have in common : neither man drinks alcohol.


12 posted on 11/06/2007 10:16:40 PM PST by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: Cincinna
Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish in Louisiana, and Karen Broussard (wife).

Did they cry and say their relatives were trapped by flood waters "Monday...Tuesday...Wednesday..."

That idiot -- probably psychotic -- dude's last on my dinner companion list.

13 posted on 11/06/2007 10:18:02 PM PST by JennysCool (Don't taze me, Bro!)
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To: All

FReeper BozPolitics posted this on his Blog after actually meeting Sarko:

http://frenchpolitique.blogspot.com/

Sarkozy sings to Bush at black tie affair

Here’s some Sarkozy quotes from tonight at the Bush’s:

“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.”

By the way, I translated the first few quotes before I found the White House translation, so that’s why it might not match up with the link. You can watch a video of the two presidents’ comments here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/11/20071106-14.wm.v.html

I see Sarkozy! Kind of.

Apparently meeting with the one American willing to wait two hours in the cold to have the chance of seeing the French president for 5 seconds was not on Nicolas Sarkozy’s agenda today when he arrived in Washington. So I actually had to wait.

In reality it wasn’t that bad; after landing and speaking to the French-American Business Council, Sarkozy awarded several American WWII veterans the Legion of Honor at the residence of the French Ambassador. So after waiting for 45 minutes outside the residence in the freezing cold, having my bag searched and then being asked to move down the street by the security officials nearby (in fact, the secret service guys were very friendly), several police bikes, a cop car, and a motorcade of at least 5 black cars and SUVs pulled up. Of course, being about 40 yards away and with dozens of people in black suits, I couldn’t tell if I actually saw Sarkozy walking up the steps of the mansion and going in. Twenty mintues later, everyone leaves, and again, in the rush of people (this time with TV cameras), I couldn’t be sure exactly who the French president was, although there’s no way I didn’t see him. Oh well, seeing a motorcade like that speed off is pretty impressive, and whichever car he was in, I was within 30 ft. In retrospect, binoculars would have helped...but that would have looked really suspicious.

But anyway, Sarkozy has quite the schedule, and he is still due for dinner at the White House tonight. Tomorrow will highlight a speech to both houses of Congress (broadcast by C-SPAN at 10:45 EST) and a joint press-conference with George Bush at Mount Vernon. Finally, Reuters has some quotes from Sarkozy’s first meeting with the business group:

“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.”


14 posted on 11/06/2007 10:28:16 PM PST by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: Cincinna
One more thing they have in common : neither man drinks alcohol.

But both need to do so. Deeply.

15 posted on 11/06/2007 10:35:35 PM PST by JennysCool (Don't taze me, Bro!)
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To: Cincinna

The european liberal media must be going out of their minds.


16 posted on 11/06/2007 10:44:53 PM PST by Proud_USA_Republican (We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good. - Hillary Clinton)
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To: All

THE TEXT OF PRESIDENTS BUSH AND SARKOZY’S TOASTS AT WHITE HOUSE DINNER source:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, distinguished guests: Laura and I offer you a warm welcome to the White House — or should I say: Bienvenue a la Maison Blanche. (Applause.)

In 1777, another George W. welcomed to America another Frenchman. His name was Lafayette. The two leaders built a strong friendship, based on common values and common virtues. They both recognized the power of human freedom. They both served with courage in freedom’s cause. And they both anticipated that freedom would advance in other lands following its victory here in America.

Two centuries later, our two nations are honoring their legacy of Lafayette by helping others resist tyranny and terror. French and American troops are helping to defend a young democracy in Afghanistan. Our two nations support the democratic government of Lebanon. We agree that reconciliation and democracy in Iraq are vital to the future of the Middle East. And our two nations condemn violations of human rights in Darfur, in Burma and around the world.

France and the United States can meet great challenges when we work together, Mr. President. You and I share a commitment to deepen the cooperation of our two republics — and through this cooperation, we can make the world a better place.

I look forward to our discussions at Mount Vernon, where George Washington welcomed his friend, Lafayette. And in the spirit of their friendship, I offer a toast to you — and to some of America’s oldest friends, the free people of France.

(A toast is offered.)

PRESIDENT SARKOZY: (As translated) Mr. President, Mrs. Laura Bush, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed an honor to be welcomed here, with such pomp, but also with such warmth — a warmth that is so characteristic of you both, that makes this place, this house, a place where each and every French man and woman feels indeed truly welcomed.

One feels welcomed and good in this place, but I’m equally aware of the fact, as you, George, have reminded us on several occasions, that in the White House one is only passing through. And that applies to both of us who have been elected as we have by democratic universal suffrage.

You know, I’ve come to Washington to bear a very simple, straightforward message, and I bear it on behalf of all French men and women: I wish to reconquer the heart of America, and I wish to reconquer the heart of America in a lasting fashion. I’ve come to say one simple thing: France and the United States are allies, have been allies, and will continue to be allies, and have been so forever.

Our two peoples throughout our history have been through some of the worst trials and tribulations one can imagine. From Yorktown to Omaha Beach and, lastly, in Afghanistan, our common destiny is that of two peoples who believe in freedom, who want freedom, and who are prepared to struggle for freedom together. Yes, George, when we have stood together, the French people and the American people together, we have undertaken and won some of the toughest battles one can imagine.

Earlier on, I wished, and I did, decorate some of the great heroes, the American veterans who fought in the second world war, those heroes of the Greatest Generation. And I wanted to tell them that we in France will never forget what they did for us, ever. What I wanted to say is this: I wanted the American people to know that these simple people, these simple heroes were men, young men, who came to die upon our shores for something that they believed in, and that never will any French man or woman forget that. In my country there are thousands upon thousands of white crosses to remember those men who didn’t know France, and yet who came to die on French soil. And I want to tell you that whenever a U.S. soldier dies anywhere in the world, I think of what the Americans and — the American army and Americans have done for us.

Our peoples resemble one another, and they admire each other. And that is precisely why they have this strong bond, an impassioned relation which is not simple, but it is always beautiful. And I also came to say that one can be a friend of America, and yet win elections in France. (Laughter and applause.)

We have many other, many other challenges to face. I think in particular of terrorism. On 9/11 terrorists thought that they had brought, or they could bring America to its knees. And I will tell you that, seen from the French perspective, never has America seemed so great, so proud, so admirable as on 9/11. And on 9/11, we, all of us, were proud of America and the Americans.

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.

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. — (laughter) — even though I know it’s a very special day because it’s the day on which Americans elect their President. So allow me to celebrate the memory and pay tribute to the long line of American Presidents who have always put forward, who have always given priority to the friendship between our two countries.

George talked about Lafayette and he talked about George Washington. Bear with me as I recount this anecdote. To President John Quincy Adams, who was welcoming Lafayette in these self-same walls, in this self-same house, on the occasion of his 66th birthday, and broke with the customs, the protocol of the time, suggested to the general — to the French general that they drink a toast, as he said, to the 22nd of February and to the 6th of September, which were the birthdays of Washington and of Lafayette, himself.

On the onset of that, Lafayette responded, “No, let there be no toast to my birthday, or even to that of George Washington. Let us raise our glasses and toast the 4th of July, which is the day that liberty was born.” And you know, for all of us, liberty is exemplified and symbolized by America. For those of my generation, America was not the country that promised liberty and freedom; it is the country that gave liberty and freedom.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would invite you, therefore, to raise your glasses, and let us drink to the health of President George Bush, and if you would allow me, madam, to you, Mrs. Laura Bush, and to the alliance between our two peoples. And I say the following words from the bottom of my heart: Long live Franco-American friendship. Long live the United States. Long live France.

(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)


17 posted on 11/06/2007 10:54:54 PM PST by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: All

This for me tells you all you need to know about Sarko... he is smart, honest, humble, and gracious....and appreciative.

“Earlier on, I wished, and I did, decorate some of the great heroes, the American veterans who fought in the second world war, those heroes of the Greatest Generation. And I wanted to tell them that we in France will never forget what they did for us, ever. What I wanted to say is this: I wanted the American people to know that these simple people, these simple heroes were men, young men, who came to die upon our shores for something that they believed in, and that never will any French man or woman forget that. In my country there are thousands upon thousands of white crosses to remember those men who didn’t know France, and yet who came to die on French soil. And I want to tell you that whenever a U.S. soldier dies anywhere in the world, I think of what the Americans and — the American army and Americans have done for us.”


18 posted on 11/06/2007 10:57:08 PM PST by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: JennysCool

Why?


19 posted on 11/06/2007 11:04:12 PM PST by skr (How majestic is Thy Name, O Lord, and how mighty are Thy Works!)
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To: Cincinna


OUR BEAUTIFUL FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH ESCORTED BY PRESIDENTS BUSH AND SARKOZY


20 posted on 11/06/2007 11:07:17 PM PST by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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