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Sarkozy marks war broadcast in UK Sarkozy marks war broadcast in UK
(about 1 hour later)
Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni last visited the UK in March 2008 Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni arrived in the UK on Friday
The French president and his wife have arrived in London to mark the 70th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's radio appeal to German-occupied France. The French president and his wife have visited the BBC to mark the 70th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's radio appeal to German-occupied France.
Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni will visit the BBC radio studio in London where the general famously urged his compatriots to resist Nazi occupation. Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni went to the radio studio in London where the general famously urged his compatriots to resist Nazi occupation.
Mr Sarkozy, joined by Prince Charles, will lay a wreath on the Mall at the statue of the Queen's father George VI. Mr Sarkozy is due to lay a wreath on the Mall at the statue of the Queen's father George VI with Prince Charles.
The president and British PM David Cameron will later meet veterans.The president and British PM David Cameron will later meet veterans.
Limited audience A special Eurostar train will bring French WWII veterans to London Mr Cameron will also hold an hour of talks with the French president at Downing Street, focused on efforts to boost growth in Europe, the military situation in Afghanistan and other foreign policy matters.
Limited audience
The visit is the first by a French president to mark Gen de Gaulle's broadcast on 18 June 1940.The visit is the first by a French president to mark Gen de Gaulle's broadcast on 18 June 1940.
The general had fled his country the day before as a new administration, headed by Philippe Petain, sought an armistice with Hitler.The general had fled his country the day before as a new administration, headed by Philippe Petain, sought an armistice with Hitler.
In the stirring radio appeal Gen de Gaulle declared himself leader of the "Free French", spawning the French Resistance, which went on to play a crucial role in defeating the Germans.In the stirring radio appeal Gen de Gaulle declared himself leader of the "Free French", spawning the French Resistance, which went on to play a crucial role in defeating the Germans.
He told his nation that "the flame of the French resistance must not and will not be extinguished".He told his nation that "the flame of the French resistance must not and will not be extinguished".
Posters displaying his words were put up all over London in the days that followed the broadcast, to galvanise French exilesPosters displaying his words were put up all over London in the days that followed the broadcast, to galvanise French exiles
During their visit to Broadcasting House, Mr Sarkozy and his wife will unveil a plaque and view a tapestry presented in thanks to the BBC by France after World War II. During their visit to Broadcasting House, Mr Sarkozy and his wife unveiled a plaque and viewed a tapestry presented in thanks to the BBC by France after World War II.
The president and Prince Charles will later lay wreaths at the statue of Gen de Gaulle in Carlton Gardens, where he set up his wartime offices.The president and Prince Charles will later lay wreaths at the statue of Gen de Gaulle in Carlton Gardens, where he set up his wartime offices.
About 800 people from the Charles de Gaulle Foundation, the Free French Foundation and other groups have been invited to London to join events.About 800 people from the Charles de Gaulle Foundation, the Free French Foundation and other groups have been invited to London to join events.
Many will travel across the Channel on a specially chartered Eurostar, which will take them home again for further ceremonies. Many travelled across the Channel on a specially chartered Eurostar, which will take them home again for further ceremonies.
The French and UK leaders will later meet resistance fighters and British veterans for a ceremony at the Chelsea Royal Hospital, home of the Chelsea pensioners.The French and UK leaders will later meet resistance fighters and British veterans for a ceremony at the Chelsea Royal Hospital, home of the Chelsea pensioners.
A student from the French lycee in London will read Gen de Gaulle's speech to Mr Sarkozy, the full text of which is inscribed on a bronze plaque at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.A student from the French lycee in London will read Gen de Gaulle's speech to Mr Sarkozy, the full text of which is inscribed on a bronze plaque at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
He was given a hero's welcome after the liberation of Paris in August 1944, but historians point out that he was not seen as a saviour in 1940.He was given a hero's welcome after the liberation of Paris in August 1944, but historians point out that he was not seen as a saviour in 1940.
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Translation of the speech Translation of the speech
They say his now revered broadcast went almost unnoticed at the time, with a very limited audience on the BBC French Service.They say his now revered broadcast went almost unnoticed at the time, with a very limited audience on the BBC French Service.
Mr Sarkozy's last official visit to the UK was in March 2008, when he was also accompanied by his supermodel-turned-singer wife.Mr Sarkozy's last official visit to the UK was in March 2008, when he was also accompanied by his supermodel-turned-singer wife.
The 36-hour stay was the first full state visit by a French president for 12 years.The 36-hour stay was the first full state visit by a French president for 12 years.