What a change at the Elysee Palace in Paris.... President Nicolas Sarkozy, son of a Hungarian immigrant, is a straight shooter who does not obfuscate or hesitate. During his tenure as the Interior Minister under Jacques Chirac, he created a new Department called "Immigration and National Idendity", a move decried by his opponents, the intellectual elite, but favored by most French voters. (elected with 53% over a typical euro-socialist)

He has taken a tough stand on limited and controlled immigration. At a recent visit to Dakar (Senegal) from where millions would like to migrate to France, Sarkozy made these statements in the presence of the Head of State of Senegal:

QUOTE
France is not ashamed of its current efforts and will continue in the same way. But it must be said here, we cannot take everybody. I do not have two messages. I do not come to Africa to tell a different story than when I am in Paris.

I understand the urge among so many of you to leave the problems of Africa. I understand the temptation of the exile.

I did not come to erase the past. I did not come to deny our mistakes and our crimes of the past... I did not come to speak of repentance, though I recognize the error of the colonization of Africa, the pillages, our past feelings of superiority as Europeans; but we also recognize the contributions made to France by so many from Africa. Let's not rehash the past, but look toward the future. France will not decide on your behalf.... If you wish our aid to be invested instead of embezzled, then France is ready to work with you."
UNQUOTE
in translation from LE FIGARO July 27, 2007