Reports have been made that the centre-right candidate for the French presidency, Nicolas Sarkozy, has an affinity for Franco-American relations. So much so that his Socialist opponent has accused him of wishing to replace British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, as Washington's "poodle". Funny how any cooperation with America always results in accusations of toadying.
Despite being tagged as being President Bush's new "yes man", Sarkozy has long been on record as being against the war in Iraq and against the execution of Saddam Hussein. He does however take a more balanced view regarding Israel as opposed to past French administration's blind allegiance to the Arab states.
Sarkozy still has to get past his Socialist opponent but he would definitely be a bridge to strengthen French-American ties which have long been strained. I can think back even to the Reagan years when America wanted to fly over French airspace to strike Libya with a squadron of F-111 bombers. The cheese eating surrender monkeys refused, opting instead to protect their relationship with the then-leading terrorist state. Things haven't gotten any better since then.
If Sarkozy (the son of a Hungarian immigrant) gains the French presidency, the U.S. will undoubtedly take steps towards solidifying relations. The next American President, Republican or Democrat, will need to take a new approach to the French but having someone in Paris who doesn't reactively oppose every American initiative would be nice.
Despite being tagged as being President Bush's new "yes man", Sarkozy has long been on record as being against the war in Iraq and against the execution of Saddam Hussein. He does however take a more balanced view regarding Israel as opposed to past French administration's blind allegiance to the Arab states.
Sarkozy still has to get past his Socialist opponent but he would definitely be a bridge to strengthen French-American ties which have long been strained. I can think back even to the Reagan years when America wanted to fly over French airspace to strike Libya with a squadron of F-111 bombers. The cheese eating surrender monkeys refused, opting instead to protect their relationship with the then-leading terrorist state. Things haven't gotten any better since then.
If Sarkozy (the son of a Hungarian immigrant) gains the French presidency, the U.S. will undoubtedly take steps towards solidifying relations. The next American President, Republican or Democrat, will need to take a new approach to the French but having someone in Paris who doesn't reactively oppose every American initiative would be nice.
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