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Bush, Sarko Melt Chill in Maine

Posted Aug 12, 07 5:44 AM CDT in World,  US 

(Newser) – Praise from a vacationing French President Nicolas Sarkozy and a down-home welcome from President Bush to the family compound in Maine this weekend signaled a radical switch in the tense relations between the two nations. The leaders were relaxed and affable with one another as they boated, chatted and chomped on hotdogs and burgers at Kennebunkport.

"It's a great country," said the conservative French leader, in a bid to distance himself from the  previous administration. "I'm happy to be here. The United States is a close friend of  France."  Bush responded: "Beautiful. We've got to go eat a hamburger." The rapprochement had its limits: Bush declined to speak French. “I can barely speak English," he quipped.

Source Washington Post

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President Bush, left, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, second from left, ride aboard Fidelity III driven by former President George H. W. Bush, right, Aug. 11, 2007, Kennebunkport, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert...   (Associated Press)
NEW YORK, NY -- Passersby check out a sign Tuesday, March 18, 2003, on a New York City deli which has followed actions of other restaurants, including the U.S. House of Representative's cafeterias, in   (KRT Photos)
French Fries Get New Name In House Cafeterias   (Getty Images)
Restaurant Changes Name Of French Fries To Freedom Fries   (Getty Images)
President Bush, left, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, smile during a boat ride Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, off Kennebunkport, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)   (Associated Press)
President Bush, left, greets French President Nicolas Sarkozy Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Kennebunkport, Maine. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, smiles as he walks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy after a photo session at the G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, Friday June 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Toshifumi...   (Associated Press)
President Bush greets French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 in Kennebunkport, Maine. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
President Bush greets French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, at the home of former President George H.W. Bush, right, on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 in Kennebunkport, Maine. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
President Bush, left, greets French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the home of former President George H.W. Bush on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Kennebunkport, Maine. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
President Bush, left, greets French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the home of former President George H.W. Bush on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Kennebunkport, Maine. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
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George W. Bush • France • Nicolas Sarkozy • United States • Maine • international relations • Kennebunkport


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