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Bush and Sarkozy declare Iran aim | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
US President George W Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have said they will work jointly to convince Iran to give up its nuclear programme. | |
After talks at Mount Vernon, near Washington, Mr Bush praised his French counterpart as "a partner in peace". | |
Mr Sarkozy earlier received a standing ovation during the first address in more than a decade by a French leader to a joint session of Congress. | |
He pledged to US lawmakers that France would support the US in Afghanistan. | |
But he also urged Americans to do more in the fight against global warming and complained that the Bush administration had allowed the dollar to plummet against the euro. | |
'Unacceptable' | |
In a press conference later following talks at Mount Vernon, the historic home of inaugural US president George Washington, Mr Bush said the pair had agreed to "work jointly to convince the Iranian regime to give up their nuclear ambitions for the sake of peace". | |
I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France Nicolas Sarkozy First day in pictures US warms to new flavour Send us your comments | |
Mr Sarkozy told reporters: "It is unacceptable that Iran should have a nuclear weapon but Iran is entitled to civilian nuclear energy." | |
The US believes Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons but Tehran insists its programme is for energy purposes. | |
The BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington, says Mr Sarkozy has taken on the mantle of the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in the affections of the US. | |
It is a stark contrast to the frosty relations under Mr Sarkozy's predecessor, Jacques Chirac, he adds. | |
'Family' | 'Family' |
At Congress earlier, the current resident of the Elysee Palace was cheered for more than three minutes before he even began his 45-minute address. | |
He delighted his audience by saying: "Let me tell you solemnly today, France will remain engaged in Afghanistan as long as it takes, because what's at stake in that country is the future of our values and that of the Atlantic alliance." | |
Mr Sarkozy, 52, who was elected in May, said he wanted France to "resume its full role" in Nato's military command structure after several decades outside it. | |
READ THE SPEECH IN FULL Sarkozy speech to Congress [34KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
He also urged Americans to "stand alongside Europe in leading the fight against global warming". | He also urged Americans to "stand alongside Europe in leading the fight against global warming". |
And he raised concerns over the dollar's fall against the euro, warning "monetary disarray could morph into economic war" and "we would all be its victims". | |
Mr Sarkozy devoted much of his speech to expressing gratitude for US heroism on French battlefields in World War II, and to praising American values, spirit and culture. | |
"America liberated us. This is an eternal debt," he said, adding: "I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France. | "America liberated us. This is an eternal debt," he said, adding: "I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France. |
"I think of them, and I am sad, as one is sad to lose a member of one's family." | "I think of them, and I am sad, as one is sad to lose a member of one's family." |
'L'Americain' | |
Mr Sarkozy had pledged to "reconquer America's heart" as he began his warmly-received visit on Tuesday. | |
Mr Sarkozy spoke warmly of French-US relations | |
Analysts say he has revived relations between the two countries, which were strained when France opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. | |
At a White House dinner with Mr Bush on Tuesday, Mr Sarkozy said differences over Iraq should not weaken their alliance and Mr Bush agreed. | |
The French leader, who spent the afternoon with Mr Bush while on holiday in New England in August, is widely known back in France as "l'Americain" for transatlantic leanings. | |
In 1996, many US lawmakers boycotted an appearance by Mr Chirac at the US Congress to protest against France's nuclear testing in the South Pacific. | In 1996, many US lawmakers boycotted an appearance by Mr Chirac at the US Congress to protest against France's nuclear testing in the South Pacific. |