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Sarkozy marks war broadcast in UK Sarkozy marks war broadcast in UK
(40 minutes later)
Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni arrived in the UK on FridayNicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni arrived in the UK on Friday
The French president and the Prince of Wales have laid wreaths at the statue of Charles de Gaulle in London to mark the 70th anniversary of the general's radio appeal to German-occupied France.The French president and the Prince of Wales have laid wreaths at the statue of Charles de Gaulle in London to mark the 70th anniversary of the general's radio appeal to German-occupied France.
Nicolas Sarkozy and the prince also laid a wreath at a statue of George VI.Nicolas Sarkozy and the prince also laid a wreath at a statue of George VI.
Earlier, Mr Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni visited the BBC radio studio where the general famously urged his compatriots to resist Nazi occupation.Earlier, Mr Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni visited the BBC radio studio where the general famously urged his compatriots to resist Nazi occupation.
The president and British PM David Cameron will also meet veterans.The president and British PM David Cameron will also meet veterans.
Resistance fighters and British veterans are attending a ceremony at the Chelsea Royal Hospital.Resistance fighters and British veterans are attending a ceremony at the Chelsea Royal Hospital.
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.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 audienceLimited 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 unveiled a plaque and viewed 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.
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 travelled 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 are due to meet resistance fighters and British veterans for a ceremony at the Chelsea Royal Hospital, home of the Chelsea pensioners.The French and UK leaders are due to 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
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.