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France Seeks To Mend U.S. Relations

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By DEB RIECHMANN The Associated Press

Published: November 7, 2007

WASHINGTON - "Freedom fries" are so yesterday - replaced now by lobster bisque and lamb at an elegant White House dinner, where President Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday night officially opened a cozier chapter in U.S.-French relations.

The two countries back tough diplomacy to keep Iran from having nuclear weapons. They have jointly sponsored U.N. resolutions supporting Lebanese sovereignty. And although France fiercely opposed the war in Iraq, Sarkozy sent his foreign minister on a surprise three-day trek to Baghdad in August to enhance France's role in Iraq's future.

Bush began a toast to Sarkozy in the State Dining Room by saying, "Welcome to the White House" in French, then talked of working with France to help others around the world resist tyranny and oppression.

"French and American troops are helping defend a young democracy in Afghanistan," Bush said. "Our two nations support the democratic government in 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."

Sarkozy, who was seated next to first lady Laura Bush, came to the White House alone. He and his wife, Cecilia, announced their divorce on Oct. 18, a first for a French head of state.

In his toast, which was considerably longer than Bush's, Sarkozy acknowledged anti-American sentiment in his country by joking that his victory is proof that one can be a friend of the United States and still win elections in France.

Sarkozy spoke with passion about freedom and liberty and the need for U.S.-French cooperation in addressing terrorism, nuclear proliferation, poverty and religious fanaticism.

"I've come to Washington to bear a very simple, straightforward message. ... I wish to reconquer the heart of America. I want to reconquer the heart of America in a lasting fashion," he said.

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