Posted on 04/06/2009 4:20:18 PM PDT by CitizenM
Barack Obama, concerned about offending Britain and Germany, rebuffed strenuous attempts by President Nicolas Sarkozy of France to persuade the new American president to make a trip to Normandy this week.
White House officials travelled to France at the start of March to discuss a visit by Mr Obama to Omaha Beach, the site of the American Cemetery, established in 1944 just after D-Day and where 9,387 American personnel are buried. Among them is Theodore Roosevelt Jr the eldest son of the 26th US President.
French officials and senior American military officers walked with White House staff through the cemetery discussing how the two presidents might follow the same route. But even before their trip, the White House had decided that Mr Obama would not travel there this week.
"It wasn't going to happen," said an American official in Washington. "We went through the motions to placate President Sarkozy but giving special treatment to France was not on our agenda.
"During this trip, we wanted to maintain a balance between the British, German and France". A White House spokesman in London declined to comment. Last month, White House officials briefed that a Normandy visit had been considered but it had not been logistically possible.
Mr Sarkozy is said by French officials to be piqued that Gordon Brown became the first European leader to meet Mr Obama and was then lavished with praise by him at a 50-minute joint press conference in London on Wednesday.
----snip----
According to French reports, Mr Obama was to visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-mer, just north of Omaha Beach. The pair were apparently to have dined at the nearby chateau de Bénouville in Caen.
The White House rejected the offer....(see rest of story)
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
That is too good.
Obama doesn’t want to iritate the nazi sympathizers. Arafat’s uncle alligned with Hitler to eradicate the Jews.
This man is bringing shame on our nation.
“Good. Obama doesnt deserve to be in the same graveyard as the WW2 dead, or on Omaha Beach. Saves us having to listen to him read mealymouthed, hypocritical platitudes....”
Indeed. BO is a clueless, classless, unappreciative, America loathing dolt. I hope he NEVER walks the hallowed ground in Normandy.
Would he reject going to Hiroshima to avoid offending Japan.....
.....No, he would go to say that he thinks America was wrong to drop the bomb.
Which of course is exactly the real reason, not the bushwa put out by the mushpeddlers.
There are many legitimate reasons for a President might not make a stop at Normandy on a trip to multiple European cities. However, to give the reason as “not to offend the Germans” is idiotic. But it’s the Obama White House, nothing like this should surprise us.
I really which someone would post a countdown clock to the next presidential election. I could use a morale booster right now.
They are all the hated Christians and Jews too, I'd bet.
“Good. Obama doesnt deserve to be in the same graveyard as the WW2 dead, or on Omaha Beach. Saves us having to listen to him read mealymouthed, hypocritical platitudes while Michelle stands around, splaylegged, dressed in the hotel bedspread.”
Correct! I’m glad he’s not going. He doesn’t belong there.
There’s somethin’ stirrin’.
Your father was a real man and a real hero.
I do not imagine that it has crossed Mr. Obama’s mind that were it not for the sacrifices of American soldiers, he would not possess the freedom to gallivant about Europe apologizing for America. To rise above mere detestation of our presumptive leader at a moment like this requires an effort that pales in comparison to theirs.
0bama doesn’t give a darned about the sacrifices made for our liberty. He is completely out of touch with history, with dignity, and with honor.
What I don’t get - how can the American people be so absolutely stupid as to continue to support this absolute disaster?
Not on the apology tour itinerary.
You know, the odds are better than even that if he goes to Japan he will do that very thing given his statements re nuclear disarmament.
Thank you all very much! Please tip the FReepathon ;-).
Bill Clinton’s scene with the rocks on the beach was unspeakable, but B.O. would be worse. Suppose he decided it was time to apologize for the United States’s unwarranted intrusion into the affairs of Europe?
"We went through the motions to placate President Sarkozy but giving special treatment to France was not on our agenda..."
I never thought we would see another President as despicable as Bubba, but I think we've found him.
You have got to be kidding me.
But can you find a bigger hole next time?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.