Sarkozy, and France, Look to U.S. Visit (Tuesday March 30)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/29/world/europe/29iht-sarko.html?tntemail1=y&emc=tnt&pagewanted=print ^ | March 28, 2010 | BRIAN KNOWLTON

[Cincinna]

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France travels to the United States on Monday for a two-day trip designed to underscore his close cooperation with President Barack Obama on Afghanistan, Iran and other issues, and apparently to make a statement about their personal relationship.

The trip, culminating in a news conference Tuesday and then a private dinner at the White House, comes at a crucial time for both.

Mr. Obama has just scored two major victories — the passage of historic health-care legislation and agreement with Russia on a new strategic arms control treaty — and is heading into a period of heavy international engagement.

Mr. Sarkozy, for his part, has seen his popularity fade and his party suffer stinging defeats in regional elections. At the same time he is preparing for a crucial stint on the world stage as France takes leadership of both the Group of Eight and the Group of Twenty.

As the newspaper Le Parisien put it, “This meeting could not come at a better time” for Mr. Sarkozy.

The closeness of the Sarkozy-Obama relationship — and for that matter, of Mr. Obama with other European leaders — has been questioned, based on issues like Mr. Obama’s decision in February to skip an annual U.S.-European summit meeting.

But in an interview here last week with the International Herald Tribune and three French correspondents, the national security adviser, James L. Jones Jr., repeatedly rejected the notion of any strains.

He called Mr. Sarkozy a “very helpful and steadfast ally” on Iran and “a strong adviser and supporter on the Middle East.” If Mr. Sarkozy sometimes urges the American president to push harder in both areas, said the general, Mr. Obama appreciated the “honest exchange of views.”

[Global2010]

Thanks and to you and yours.

It IS wild here. Thunder/Lightning/Hail oh my!

Blew hard last night and the rain came in buckets.

We have had a wonderful sunny warm winter other than that.

[mojitojoe]

LOL, I would say it would be a good bet to say yes. I didn’t do them, but I’m sure they are.

[GOP_Lady]

Thank you dear nutmeg! :-)

[DollyCali]

LOL.. thanks for ping...

the world awaits the meeting of beauty & the beast

[ichabod1]

Oh no she di’nt!

[RetSignman]

[constitutiongirl]

Be sure to include me on this list!

[2ndDivisionVet]

"Whos this Langley person?"

CIA headquarters is in Langley, Virginia.

[Cicero]

Obama couldn’t be a gracious host even if he tried. He is incapable of it. And Michelle?

[little jeremiah]

Really, sunny winter?? Down here we’ve had more days of rain than in the last 10 years. I now get a sunburn if I’m outside in thin cloudy sky for 10 minutes. I look like a mushroom.

I like storms especially by the ocean. Exciting! (Except for falling dead brances - our property is covered with trees).

Weather says possibility of thunder for a few days. Hold on!

[xJones]

“In truth, it also makes us sad,” he continued. “French resentment towards America is strong, so being able to laugh at your country feels good. But it is such a sad and strange thing to see America – America The Great! – do something so crazy as to elect this ridiculous man.”

Oh, baby, feel our pain! When America goes crazy we don't fool around. I never dreamed I'd miss Carter or Clinton, but I really do now.

[xJones]

Obama couldn’t be a gracious host even if he tried. He is incapable of it. And Michelle?

Michelle might possibly arm wrestle Sarko and put his arm through the table. I guess turn about's fair play, when you remember all the French jokes we used to tell on FR. Now we're the joke.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Not too surprising that Sarkozy would welcome the US to becoming an Europeanized economy.

[DoughtyOne]

He and Clinton enjoy flipping people off.

Wowzers, you don’t realize how much they made Michelle over until you see dated photos. Daaaannnnnnnng!!!!!

That is her isn’t it.

Olie olie oxen free. Everyone come out of hiding now... ;-)

[Cincinna]

*** FRENCH POLITICS AND CULTURE PING LIST *** FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN *** ***FASHION PING LIST***

CARLA AND SARKO LEAVE CARLYLE HOTEL w HER SON AURELIAN

SARKO AND LOUIS DODGE NYC TRAFFIC

SARKO AND CARLA KISSING IN BOAT HOUSE W LOUIS

CARLA DROPS IN AT JUILLIARD SCHOOL OF MUSIC IN NY

CARLA ARRIVES AT KIPP DC CHARTER SCHOOL

CARLA CHATS W STUDENT

[Cincinna]

SARKO & CARLA AT EVENING RECEPTION AT ALLIANCE FRANCAISE IN NYC

[KeyLargo]

Obama’s French Toast: Just Say Non

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT10TBOgvXE

[kitkat]

Please include me in your thread.

[bergmeid]

Carla is full of grace. Unlike the First Woman.

[bergmeid]

Hey Sarko, can you pick up some papers from the University tonight while you’re there? There’s some stuff we’ve been looking for.