KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine, 12 August 2007 — US President George W. Bush welcomed French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday for a “heart-to-heart” talk on world issues and to repair relations with France.
“We have had disagreements on Iraq in particular,” Bush said as the French president arrived at the seaside vacation home of Bush’s parents. “But I’ve never allowed disagreements to not find other ways to work together.”
The White House billed the event as a casual meal between two leaders just getting to know each other.
But Bush said the two would also talk for 45 minutes on world issues, including Iran, where he wants Sarkozy’s aid in halting Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
“We’ll have a heart-to-heart talk,” Bush said. “We’ll be talking about a lot of key issues. The good thing about President Sarkozy is you know where he stands. He can tell you exactly what he thinks. I hope he’d say the same thing about me.”
The French president had his own warm words, part of an overt attempt by the leaders of both countries to warm their nations’ chilled relations. Sarkozy called the United States a longtime friend, one he admires for trying to spread freedom around the world.
“France is friends with democracies, not with dictatorships,” Sarkozy said.
“Do we agree on everything? No,” he said, an apparent reference to the divisive Iraq war. “Because even in family, there are disagreements. But we are still the same family.”
Sarkozy arrived alone on a sparkling day. His wife, Cecilia, dropped out at the last moment because she and her children were sick. She informed first lady Laura Bush in a phone call, and President Bush said the family understood. Sarkozy said they had sore throats.
By welcoming Sarkozy to his parents’ seaside home, Bush is laying a foundation for what he hopes are drastically improved relations with France over the rest of his term. In turn, the newly elected Sarkozy is eager to bond with Bush and display a pro-American mindset.
As he waited for Sarkozy to arrive, Bush stood with his wife and his parents. The president started chatting with reporters, which turned into an impromptu news conference.
Then Sarkozy came in looking casual in blue jeans and a sports coat. After a series of warm greetings all around, Bush prodded him to address the media, too. “Want to ask him a couple of questions?” Bush said. “He’s never shy about the press.”
In a place renowned for its lobster, the Bush family opted for picnic fare: hot dogs and hamburgers, baked beans, corn on the cob and blueberry pie.
