Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Sarkozy aims to rekindle US ties in White House talks
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Sarkozy aims to rekindle US ties in White House talks
AFP - Wednesday, March 31
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – French President Nicolas Sarkozy aimed to overcome years of strained Franco-American ties as he prepared Tuesday for talks and an intimate dinner with US President Barack Obama.
In his first White House visit since Obama came to office more than a year ago, Sarkozy was also hoping to deflect attention away from his troubles back home after being forced to backtrack on some of his signature reforms.
After summit talks around 1930 GMT, Obama and his wife Michelle were to welcome the French president and glamorous first lady, supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni, to the White House for a private dinner.
It marks the first time a foreign leader has been invited to dine with just the Obamas in their private rooms and is being seen as a fence-mending exercise after Obama bowed out of a European summit and reports of bad chemistry between the two leaders.
"You invite an important head of state to a state dinner, but a friend you invite to your home," said one western diplomat.
Ahead of the talks, the French leader met Tuesday with US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator John Kerry on Capitol Hill.
Kerry said Sarkozy was "very happy to be here and he looks forward to good discussions and he wants to get moving on certain issues -- we all know President Sarkozy is a man of great energy and focus."
The senator said Sarkozy mentioned issues including climate change and sanctions on Iran for its nuclear energy program.
"He believes we have to take a very, very strong sanctions position," Kerry said."
Sarkozy said he still considered his 2007 address to a joint session of Congress as "an extraordinary moment in my life" and added he has "a lot of admiration" for Obama.
But the political fortunes of the two leaders could not now be more different as they meet to compare notes on world problems, from global finance reform to the war in Afghanistan.
Sarkozy has fallen on hard times as his popularity sinks and his party reels from defeat in regional elections.
By contrast, Obama last week signed into law a reform bill that has become the centerpiece of his presidency, providing health coverage to 30 million Americans and the most far-reaching US social legislation in decades.
After earlier policy differences, the two leaders appear to have come closer together on some key issues including the need to step up sanctions on Iran over its suspect nuclear program.
They also aim to work to unblock the stymied Middle East peace process, even Obama has been cool to the idea of an international conference proposed by Sarkozy.
Obama is also likely to press the French leader over Paris's commitment to the war in Afghanistan.
France is the fourth biggest contributor of Western troops helping the Afghan government fight against the Taliban-led insurgency, but Sarkozy has announced he will not send any more combat troops into the country.
Other contentious issues are likely to be raised in their talks, including Sarkozy's call to boost regulation of the finance industry.
Delivering some self-styled "home truths" to his hosts, the French leader used a visit to New York Monday to query the dollar's dominance and push for a tightening of economic regulations.
"There is no single country in the 21st century that can run the world alone," he chided the United States, and urged Washington to join Europe in "inventing the rules for the economy of tomorrow."
Sarkozy said he would discuss with Obama ways to stabilize commodities markets and to define "a new international monetary order."
"The dollar is not the only currency in the world," he said.
Another bone of contention to be discussed by the leaders is a huge US military contract to supply 179 tanker planes. France has accused Washington of protectionism by seeking to favor Boeing over Europe's Airbus.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Kandahar is 'cornerstone' of Afghan war: Mullen AFP - 1 hour 6 minutes ago
Nine dead in blasts in Russia's Dagestan: police AFP - 1 hour 17 minutes ago
US wants 4-month Jerusalem building freeze: media AFP - 1 hour 52 minutes ago
5 soldiers, 25 rebels killed in Pakistan clash AFP - 2 hours 7 minutes ago
EU subsidies have encouraged overfishing: study AFP - 2 hours 9 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
EU subsidies have encouraged overfishing: study
What, or who, killed the last mammoths?
Toad is a telltale for impending quakes: scientists
Obama wants Iran sanctions within 'weeks'
Burglars tunnel into French bank vault
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
Obama's PresidencyWhat change will Obama bring? Will it affect the rest of us globally?
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Burglars tunnel into French bank vault
Toad is a telltale for impending quakes: scientists
Latin pop icon Ricky Martin tells fans he is gay
Atom smasher opens 'new era' for science
Elephants move like 4x4s: scientists
More Most Viewed »
'Rare' fossil of new dinosaur species found in US
Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert
Prince Philip in strip club gaffe
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 31 March 2010 Europe risks 'second league' of world economies: IMF
Want to see the iPad? So do Apple store employees
Top US commander visits Afghan frontline
CERN scientists closer to understanding Big
Palestinian killed as Israelis fire on protestors
Putin orders Russia to hunt down bombing militants
Nigeria court confirms Twitter chat ban on amputation
Burglars tunnel into French bank vault
Atom smasher opens 'new era' for science
Taiwan design house files complaint against Apple
Part of Nero's ancient palace collapses in Rome
Elephants move like 4x4s: scientists
Maliki is block in Iraq coalition merger talks
|
Berlusconi's coalition score gains in regional poll
Britain emerges from recession with new growth upgrade
Coal fuels much of Internet "cloud", says Greenpeace
Palestinian PM ploughs ahead with future state
Rights at issue as U.N. chief tours Central Asia
|
Australia reveals prototype 'bionic' eye
Google searches trigger error messages in China
Facebook veterans in venture capital spotlight
Turkey asks Germany for help if EU bid stalls
|
Colombia rebels to free hostage held over a decade
|
Nigerian airports start installing body scanners
|
2 detained for dead babies found along China river
U.N. Bhutto assassination inquiry report delayed
Thai Red Shirt protesters reject more govt talks
Thai reds refuse more talks, plan fresh weekend demo
Obama signs final healthcare changes, defends law
Iran nuclear drive in focus at G8 talks
Leaks reported at China mine days before flood
Obama signs package of final healthcare changes
Vietnam signs nuclear energy pact with US
Kashima first into AFC Champions League knockouts
US general apologises for anti-gay remarks
Top US commander visits Afghan war frontline
Journalists in China say Yahoo accounts hacked
Want to see the iPad? So do Apple store employees
|
China's Geely to spend 2.7 billion dollars buying Volvo
Kijiji begone: EBay rebrands classified site
|
Bombardier signs credit deal with China's CDB
Peru's Machu Picchu reopens
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Honda to create 400 jobs in Canada
Author Stephenie Meyer to release "Eclipse" novella
China should adjust yuan before September: PBOC adviser
Maldives to host Akon's aborted Sri Lanka concert
US fund Steel Partners fails to oust Japan's Sapporo chiefs
Bordeaux uncorks blockbuster vintage, eyes China
India's Bharti clinches deal to buy Zain assets
Chinese director's film evokes civil war's cost
Work begins on Cambodian hydropower project
"Titans" Worthington fights his way to film stardom
Morgan Stanley, Mitsubishi UFJ to merge operations
Online Muslim sex shop launched in the Netherlands
Standard Chartered to raise $500 mln in India
Bruce Lee's wife, daughter open Hong Kong exhibit
Singer Badu causes stir with nude video at JFK site
|
Rip Torn exits rehab and pleads not guilty
|
Palestinian teen killed as Israelis fire on Gaza protests
Afghanistan now also world's top hashish producer: UN
Nine dead in blasts in Russia's Dagestan: police
Obama wants U.N. sanctions on Iran in weeks
|
US-TECH Summary
Iranian nuclear scientist defects to U.S.
EU subsidies have encouraged overfishing: study
Kandahar is NATO's next Afghanistan challenge
Death toll rises to 11 in south Russian bombings
|
Some Yahoo email accounts hacked in China, Taiwan
Burglars tunnel into French bank vault
What, or who, killed the last mammoths?
sidesteps report of China hack of journalists' email
Toad is a telltale for impending quakes: scientists
Putin orders Moscow bombers scraped from sewers
|
Kijiji begone: EBay rebranding U.S. classified site
Obama wants Iran sanctions within 'weeks'
'.yu' country code domain for Yugoslavia finally obsolete
China uproar over dead babies dumped near river
|
Google says China's "great firewall" blocked search
Web attacks hit Vietnam bauxite activists: Google
|
U.S. seeks 4-month Jerusalem building freeze: report
|
Muslim scholars recast jihadists' favorite fatwa
|
Haiti hopes for $4 billion to rebuild after quake
|
Afghanistan world's top cannabis source: U.N.
|
Turkey asks Germany for help if EU bid stalls
|
US wants 4-month Jerusalem building freeze: media
Mexico gang leader 'confesses' in US diplomat killing
Iranian nuclear scientist defects to US: report
Iran can't continue 'mad' nuclear race: Sarkozy
Sarkozy aims to rekindle US ties in White House talks
Obama signs final healthcare changes, defends law
Five soldiers, 25 rebels killed in Pakistan clash
China drought leaves 24 million short of drinking water
Some Yahoo email accounts hacked in China, Taiwan
|
US, China change tone but disputes lie ahead
NZ moves to change divisive shore ownership law
Australian faces 15-year term in Bali drug case
Baruto becomes first Estonian 'ozeki' sumo wrestler
Taiwan auctions 30-yr govt bond at 2.23 pct yield
Seoul shares slip, post 0.6 pct gain on Q1
Chinese interest rules the auction world
China safety body says rules ignored in mine flood
Astronaut Aldrin still "Dancing," Doherty dumped
China blames poor safety for mine disaster
S.Korea c.bank's Lee calls for better relations with gov't
S.Korea military on alert after warship sinking
Two vintage L.A. theaters saved from closure
Google pegs China search trouble to 'Great Firewall'
US churches find no salvation from bad economy
Easter eggs may be good for you, study suggests
PAKISTAN
Michael Jackson's father plans wrongful death suit
|
Astronaut Aldrin still Dancing, Doherty dumped
|
Two vintage L.A. theaters saved from closure
|
Miley Cyrus all grown up in new movie
|
Suicide attack kills seven Afghan farmers: official
Eurozone inflation sharply up to 1.5%
Google says Vietnam political blogs hacked
Bomb attack kills 13 in crowded Afghan market
Suicide bomber targets police in new Russia attack
Zardari back in spotlight in Pakistan graft cases
|
Kandahar is 'cornerstone' of Afghan war: Mullen
German jobless rate drops unexpectedly
Ericsson wins $1.3 billion India deal
Afghan peace talks end with no headway, more expected
|
12 dead in new Russia suicide bomb attack
Putin to meet top U.S. foes in Venezuela
|
Iraq's Sadrists propose vote on PM choice
|
Divided Serbia apologizes for Srebrenica massacre
|
UK hung parliament risk up
|
3 trapped gold miners drown in Philippine tunnel
Rocket prepared for Soyuz space launch
Philippines defends record after EU plane ban
N.Korea's Kim likely to visit China soon: Seoul
Ford, Microsoft align to recharge cars
|
Google: Online attacks aimed at Vietnam critics
Georgia Sen. Isakson Readmitted To Hospital
Superman Sets Super Sale Record
Stabbings, Moscow Attacks Underscore Dismal State Of Security Cameras In New York Subway
Pre-dawn Pakistan violence kills 32
Insurance Companies Agree To Adhere To New Regulations
Man Commits Suicide By Jumping Off Empire State Building
Fugitive Thaksin continues global wanderings
University Travel Ban To Haiti Keeps Florida Students From Showing Film
CERN pushes Big Bang machine to new science frontier
|
Four Dead, Six Wounded In D.C. Drive-by Shooting
China official denies cutting off water to SE Asia
Man Shoots Wife's Dog, Passes Out While Trying To Bury The Animal
Australian "Ned Kelly" painting sells for record
Some Yahoo email accounts hacked in China, Taiwan
Miley Cyrus all grown up in new movie
Michael Jackson's father plans wrongful death suit
Taiwan and China discuss trade pact
Rip Torn exits rehab and pleads not guilty
Pakistan stocks gain, foreign inflows help sentiment
Ericsson wins $1.3 bln India contract
Singer Badu causes stir with nude video at JFK site
China's CNOOC says '09 profit falls 34 pct
Google service disruption bodes ill for Chinese
Ericsson wins $1.3 billion India deal
|
Sony to sell liquid crystal display plant to Kyocera
WRAPUP 1-South Korean president cements low interest rate view
China shares mixed after a 3-day rally
Tourist falls into active volcano crater on Bali
Philippines insists its airlines safe despite EU ban
Madonna and daughter collaborate on fashion line
|
Lady Gaga back atop UK album charts midweek
|
Stephen King puts the frights into baseball
|
Australian Ned Kelly painting sells for record
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights