WASHINGTON, 1 October 2003 — It started with a presidential kiss, but will the gesture to US first lady Laura Bush by French leader Jacques Chirac end the tiff between their countries? The US media — which made the kiss front-page news yesterday — said the Gallic charm was a good try, but probably not enough to overcome the anger of Laura’s husband just yet.
Chirac kissed Laura Bush’s hand as she entered the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on Monday. The first lady was in France to mark the return of the United States to UNESCO, which is based in Paris.
“French Kiss” was a favorite headline US papers that showed Laura Bush looking on as Chirac carried out what the Washington Post called a “gallant greeting”.
“Chirac met her at her car and elaborately kissed her hand in greeting, at a time when the French and US governments remain divided over the future of Iraq,” said the Post. The New York Times caption questioned: “Kiss and Make Up?” But The New York Post caption said it was most definitely not.
Under the headline “Damsel in Distress”, the Post said: “Grim-faced first lady Laura Bush looks as if she’d rather be anywhere else in the world yesterday as French President Jacques Chirac takes a stab at chivalry by planting a kiss on her hand.”
