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Meet the Man Putting Paris in Motion

Ex-socialist is now Sarko's buddy and France's star politician

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2008 4:31 PM CST
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(Newser) – Bernard Kouchner was once a card-carrying socialist hurling red ink at the American Embassy in Paris. Now, as France’s foreign minister, he’s President Nicolas Sarkozy’s right-hand man, helping to rebuild long-strained ties with the US. He also may be France’s most popular politician. The New York Times takes an in-depth look at the man who is redefining France’s place in the world.

Sarkozy and Kouchner have torn apart France’s post-World War II policy of stubbornly independent foreign policy, practicing what Kouchner calls “diplomacy in motion.” That includes buddying up to the US and wading headfirst into the Middle East. The reason Sarkozy and Kouchner "get along so well, which is kind of surprising, is that they prefer action to theory,” Kouchner’s wife said.

Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Miliband, left, and his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt, center, talk with France's counterpart Bernard Kouchner prior to the start of the EU foreign ministers council in Brussels, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)
Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Miliband, left, and his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt, center, talk with France's counterpart Bernard Kouchner prior to the start of the EU foreign...   (Associated Press)
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, left, shakes hand with his Pakistani counterpart Inam-ul-Haq, right, prior to their meeting at Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. Kouchner arrived in Pakistan on two-day visit to hold talks with Pakistan leadership to discuss international, regional issues and to express...
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, left, shakes hand with his Pakistani counterpart Inam-ul-Haq, right, prior to their meeting at Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008....   (Associated Press)
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner gestures as he addresses reporters within a press conference about the Foundation for the Mediterranean World at the Foreign ministry in Paris, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. Kouchner reacted Tuesday to the bomb blasts that hit Algiers Tuesday. Around 12 U.N. staff members in Algiers...
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner gestures as he addresses reporters within a press conference about the Foundation for the Mediterranean World at the Foreign ministry in Paris, Tuesday, Dec. 11,...   (Associated Press)
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Middle East • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • United States • foreign policy • Bernard Kouchner • Doctors Without Borders

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