White House welcomes Sarkozy

Nicolas Sarkozy began his first visit to Washington as French president with a pledge that France has left behind tensions with the United States over the Iraq war.

At a meeting of the French-American Business Council, the first event of his visit to Washington, Sarkozy also said that France would stick to a tough line on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"I think we need to be firm," he said, adding that he believes that sanctions could be effective.

The man known in France as "Sarko the American" arrived yesterday afternoon ahead of a White House dinner.

More than 100 guests were invited to dine on bisque, lamb, tomato fondue, green beans, sweet potato casserole, salad and dessert.

The guests included Tom Glavine, a US baseball player, and the French chef Guy Savoy.

Bush smiled and waved at Sarkozy before he emerged from a black limousine that was adorned with small French and American flags. The two leaders, both dressed in tuxedoes, shook hands and briefly embraced.

Sarkozy kissed first lady Laura Bush's hand, then both her cheeks. As the three walked into the White House on a red and gold carpet, Bush patted Sarkozy on the back.

Today, Sarkozy plans to tour Mount Vernon, home of the first US president, George Washington, with President George Bush.

He will also address a joint meeting of Congress intended to evoke the two centuries of ties between the two nations.

"In the Congress, there is a portrait of George Washington, but also Lafayette. I want to continue in this tradition," Sarkozy said, referring to the French nobleman, the Marquis de Lafayette, who played a key role as an aide to Washington in the American revolution against British rule.

He said that he would seek to remind both countries of their historic bond.

"I never quite understood why we had to fight with the United States," he said of disagreements over the Iraq war. "When we Europeans were faced with the worst atrocities of the 20th century, two abominable wars, your parents came to help us. I am here to tell you that the French people will never forget."

The Bush administration has welcomed Sarkozy's overture for better relations after rancorous relations with his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who helped lead European opposition to the war in Iraq.

"Yes there was a disagreement on Iraq," Sarkozy said. "But this disagreement should not put into question the alliance, the friendship, and the solidarity between us."

Though French officials have said that Iraq is unlikely to be a topic for discussion with US leaders on the trip, Sarkozy said in response to a question that France believes that stabilising the country will take time.

"Nobody here is saying that you need to pull out immediately. I think what we wish is for the Iraqi people to decide for themselves and decide their own future," he said.

Sarkozy's effort at reconciliation has been both symbolic and substantive - from holidaying in the state of New Hampshire to backing up the Bush administration's hard line on Iran.

His address to Congress will highlight the improved relations. In 1996, many US lawmakers boycotted a similar appearance by Chirac to protest France's nuclear testing in the South Pacific.

Sarkozy will reflect broadly on his vision for French-American relations but will not to make great policy announcements, according to the French Embassy in Washington.

Sarkozy publicly has been mulling a French return to Nato's military command structure after four decades of a semidetached role in the Atlantic alliance. But Sarkozy is expected to say that France has not made a decision yet.

Iran and the Middle East peace efforts are likely to dominate discussions with Bush as the two countries look to build on their warmer relations to look for ways to improve policy coordination.

As Sarkozy meets face-to-face with Bush at the White House, the French may now look to see whether the efforts with Bush have paid dividends for France.

"Sarkozy needs to go home and say not only that this guy kissed me on both cheeks, but also that he has brought something back," says Simon Serfaty, a senior adviser of the Europe programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

One topic that Sarkozy, as well as other European leaders, would like to see compromise on from the White House is climate policy. But a breakthrough is not expected. Still, Sarkozy raised the issue at the event yesterday.

"If global warming continues, if the level of the seas rise, that is going to affect you as much as us," he said.