Thread: Sarkozy tells Americans to broaden horizons

By Martin Arnold in Paris

Published: February 1 2007 02:00 | Last updated: February 1 2007 02:00
Nicolas Sarkozy, France's Gaullist presidential candidate, sought to shed his pro-US image last night, telling Americans they needed to broaden their horizons and "get interested in the world" if they wanted to be loved.

"This is a problem in the US and I want to say this to my American friends. The world does not come to a halt at the borders of your country," said Mr Sarkozy in a frank 90-minute talk with Charlie Rose of PBS, the US public television network.

"Beyond the Pacific and beyond the Atlantic, there are men and women like you. Get interested in the world and the world will learn to love you," said Mr Sarkozy in response to a question on why he opposed Turkey's membership of the European Union. "The world is not just the American empire. There's more to it than that."

The interview, conducted in French and translated into English, seemed designed to appeal to the clichéd image many people in France have of Americans as arrogant and imperialist, with little understanding of foreign -cultures.

Mr Sarkozy, candidate for the centre-right UMP party, is a vocal admirer of US society's core values of work, liberty and risk-taking. But he sees himself as the inheritor of France's Gaullist tradition of combining conservative principles with a social conscience and assertive foreign policy that is often at odds with the US.

His socialist opponents have branded him "an American neo-conservative with a French passport" in an attempt to undermine his bid to replace Jacques Chirac as president in April's elections.

The attacks have intensified since Mr Sarkozy was photographed with George W. Bush, US president, in September.

He also gave a speech in Washington last year criticising Mr Chirac's opposition to a US-led invasion of Iraq and France's "arrogance" in its relations with the US.

Last night he appeared to back-pedal, saying: "Jacques Chirac's international policy, particularly on Iraq, was the right one. He made the right choice at the right time." He even paid homage to Mr Chirac, his great rival, adding: "I admire him. I admire his energy, for his extraordinary career."

Mr Sarkozy appeared on US television a day after visiting the UK, where he hailed the policies of Tony Blair, prime minister, and gave a speech to thousands of French expatriates in London, appealing for their return to France to build a society of "work, merit and success".

The Gaullist candidate seems to be trying to capitalise on the difficulties of Ségolène Royal, his Socialist presidential rival, who has made a series of gaffes over foreign policy.

Mr Sarkozy has retaken the lead in opinion polls, with Ipsos yesterday showing him ahead by 8 percentage points.

In yesterday's Le Figaro newspaper, Mr Sarkozy promised to cut the tax burden by €68bn ($88bn) over 10 years and to dilute the 35-hour working week by scrapping social charges on overtime. "The Socialists are proposing to work less. I propose to let people earn more," he said.

http://link.toolbot.com/ft.com/58860

What makes Sarkozy think we want to be loved? I would be content with being left alone.

As for his about face on the issues, why should anyone be surprised about a French statesman's opinion drifting which ever way the wind blows?

Right on Crocket, I could care less if people in other countries love me or not, thank you, as Crocket said, just leave me the hell alone, esp. when something is wrong and you need a little of my and every other Americans money to bail you out! Personally, I like being isolated.

Nicolas Sarkozy, France's Gaullist presidential candidate, sought to shed his pro-US image last night, telling Americans they needed to broaden their horizons and "get interested in the world" if they wanted to be loved.

"This is a problem in the US and I want to say this to my American friends. The world does not come to a halt at the borders of your country," said Mr Sarkozy in a frank 90-minute talk with Charlie Rose of PBS, the US public television network.

Need one of these sarkozky of PFrance?


........................................BITE ME

And how could we barbaric Americans even hope to obtain such a cultured view as the French! lol

That is rich! The French lecturing Americans on how to be loved. lol lol lol

The French are so full of themselves and are poorly viewed because of their arrogant superiority complexes. They are notoriously rude to other cultures and last time I checked their Guest Workered illegal aliens were still burning cars by the dozen in the streets each week.

Yes, we are quite aware there is a world outside of our borders and my family left those borders twice to go save the French from becoming non existent under German occupation.

Now that America is so despised around the planet thanks to that jackass in the White House, the French are gloating. They have been jealous of America's global popularity of the last 100 years.

Now they see us heading for a taste of the bitterness they went through when France lost their colonial power status.

The hour is dark indeed when the French are giving popularity advice to the US.

I've got a French rifle to sell ya. It's only been dropped once!

Of course the French are the ones that invented the phrase "I'm a lover not a fighter."

French culture has failed to produce one globally successful rock band, movie, or director. While making some scientific contributions over the last 100 years, America's scientific advances have dwarfed the French.

I just can't figure out who in the hell gave the French nukes!

The French still think of themselves a colonial power because they have some troops in Algeria right?

Can anyone name one great accomplishment out of France in the last few decades?

W

And how could we barbaric Americans even hope to obtain such a cultured view as the French! lol

There is no hope because we have several addictions that have prevented us from progressing into the realm of culture and refinement.

SHAVING & BATHING.........what the hell is wrong with us?

Can anyone name one great accomplishment out of France in the last few decades?

Mass production of white cloth?

Try this because it is really quite funny.

Go to google.com

Type in French military victories

Hit the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button.

OH GRIEF - more worn out cliche.

Originally Posted by JohnMcGough-NewZealand

OH GRIEF - more worn out cliche.

????