This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6941917.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
'Casual lunch' for Bush, Sarkozy 'Casual lunch' for Bush, Sarkozy
(about 2 hours later)
US President George W Bush has welcomed his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, to his family home in Maine for an informal lunch and boat ride. US President George W Bush welcomed his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, to his family home in Maine on Saturday for an informal lunch and boat ride.
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 stressed the meeting was 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.
Mr Bush praised Mr Sarkozy as he waited with his wife and parents on the lawn of the family home in Kennebunkport, on the Atlantic seaside.Mr Bush praised Mr Sarkozy as he waited with his wife and parents on the lawn of the family home in Kennebunkport, on the Atlantic seaside.
"The good thing about President Sarkozy is you know where he stands," Mr Bush told reporters."The good thing about President Sarkozy is you know where he stands," Mr Bush told reporters.
Before the lunch, Mr Sarkozy, who was wearing blue jeans, said he admired the US as "a great democracy, a country of freedom". Mr Sarkozy has promised to improve relations with the USBefore the lunch, Mr Sarkozy, who is on holiday in America, said he admired the US as "a great democracy, a country of freedom".
He said the US was "a close friend of France and I'm very glad to be able to meet with the president of the United States and speak to him." He called the US a "close friend", comparing France's relations with it to a family which sometimes had disagreements.
Hot dogs and hamburgers "Do we agree on everything? No.
Despite protestations that the meeting was just a casual lunch, some observers have remarked that it was impossible to imagine Mr Bush issuing a similar invitation to Mr Chirac. "Even within the family there are disagreements but we are still of the same family and we may be friends and not agree on everything but we are friends nevertheless. That's the truth."
Mr Sarkozy has promised to improve relations with the USIn addition to the Iraq war, disagreements over trade and climate change further strained the relationship between Mr Bush and Mr Chirac. Despite protestations that the meeting was just a casual lunch, some observers remarked that it was impossible to imagine Mr Bush issuing a similar invitation to Mr Chirac.
In contrast, Mr Sarkozy has made it clear, from the outset of his presidency, that America can count on his friendship. 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 made it clear from the outset of his presidency that America could 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.
Hot dogs and hamburgers
The lunch included hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, and fresh blueberry pie.The lunch included hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, and fresh blueberry pie.
No mention was made of whether french fries were on the menu. Some Americans started calling chipped potatoes "freedom fries" after Mr Chirac opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.No mention was made of whether french fries were on the menu. Some Americans started calling chipped potatoes "freedom fries" after Mr Chirac opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
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 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.
After lunch, President Bush and his father, former President George Bush, took Mr Sarkozy for a 30 minute boat ride. After lunch, President Bush and his father, former President George Bush, took Mr Sarkozy for a 30-minute boat ride.
The Sarkozys have been on holiday in nearby New Hampshire, although Mr Sarkozy briefly returned to France for the funeral on Friday of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger.The Sarkozys have been on holiday in nearby New Hampshire, although Mr Sarkozy briefly returned to France for the funeral on Friday of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger.
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.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.
Only one other foreign leader has been invited by President Bush to his family's home in Maine. Russian President Vladimir Putin went there in July for an informal meeting that was dubbed the "lobster summit".Only one other foreign leader has been invited by President Bush to his family's home in Maine. Russian President Vladimir Putin went there in July for an informal meeting that was dubbed the "lobster summit".