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'Casual lunch' for Bush, Sarkozy 'Casual lunch' for Bush, Sarkozy
(about 1 hour later)
US President George Bush is welcoming his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, to his family home in Maine for an informal lunch. US President George Bush has welcomed his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, to his family home in Maine for an informal lunch.
Officials have stressed the meeting is not a summit but instead a chance for the two men to get to know each other over hot dogs and hamburgers.Officials have stressed the meeting is not a summit but instead a chance for the two men to get to know each other over hot dogs and hamburgers.
France's former President Jacques Chirac's opposition to the Iraq war saw Franco-US relations fall to a new low.France's former President Jacques Chirac's opposition to the Iraq war saw Franco-US relations fall to a new low.
But Mr Sarkozy has made it clear that he will adopt a more pro-US stance.But Mr Sarkozy has made it clear that he will adopt a more pro-US stance.
"The good thing about Mr Sarkozy is you know where he stands," Mr Bush told reporters on the lawn of the family home in Kennebunkport, on the US east coast.
'American picnic''American picnic'
Despite protestations that the meeting is just a casual lunch, some observers have already remarked that it is impossible to imagine Mr Bush issuing a similar invitation to Mr Chirac. Despite protestations that the meeting is just a casual lunch, some observers have remarked that it was impossible to imagine Mr Bush issuing a similar invitation to Mr Chirac.
In addition to the Iraq war, disagreements over trade and climate change further strained the relationship between Mr Bush and Mr Chirac.In addition to the Iraq war, disagreements over trade and climate change further strained the relationship between Mr Bush and Mr Chirac.
In contrast, Mr Sarkozy has made it clear, from the outset of his presidency, that America can count on his friendship.In contrast, Mr Sarkozy has made it clear, from the outset of his presidency, that America can count on his friendship.
US officials have pointed out that the countries are already working closely on issues such as Iran, Lebanon and Sudan.US officials have pointed out that the countries are already working closely on issues such as Iran, Lebanon and Sudan.
"It looks like we're on the verge of a new era of relations with the French, which is a good thing," White House spokesman Tony Snow said earlier in the week."It looks like we're on the verge of a new era of relations with the French, which is a good thing," White House spokesman Tony Snow said earlier in the week.
The lunch will include hot dogs and hamburgers, "traditional American picnic fare", said another White House spokeswoman, Dana Perino.The lunch will include hot dogs and hamburgers, "traditional American picnic fare", said another White House spokeswoman, Dana Perino.
The French president's wife, Cecilia Sarkozy, was initially meant to be at the lunch but had phoned First Lady Laura Bush to say she and her children were feeling unwell and would not attend, Ms Perino said. No mention was made of whether french fries would be on the menu. Some Americans started calling chipped potatoes "freedom fries" after Mr Chirac opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Mr Sarkozy's decision to take his first holiday as president in the US has led to some negative comments at home, especially from critics who believe he would like to see the French economy overhauled to follow the American free market model. The French president's wife, Cecilia Sarkozy, was meant to be at the lunch but phoned First Lady Laura Bush to say she and her children were feeling unwell and would not attend, Ms Perino said.
The Sarkozys have been on holiday in nearby New Hampshire.
Mr Sarkozy's decision to take a holiday in the US has led to some negative comments at home, especially from critics who believe he would like to see the French economy overhauled to follow the American free market model.