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Sarkozy marks war broadcast in UK Sarkozy marks war broadcast in UK
(40 minutes later)
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 also met 200 veterans.The president and British PM David Cameron also met 200 veterans.
During a ceremony at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Mr Sarkozy awarded the Legion d'Honneur to six WWII veterans - three of them British - who took part in the Operation Dragoon landings in Provence in August 1944. During a ceremony at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Mr Sarkozy awarded the Legion d'Honneur to six World War II veterans - three of them British - who took part in the Operation Dragoon landings in Provence in August 1944.
Addressing the guests, Mr Sarkozy said he brought the "brotherly greetings and eternal gratitude of the French people" who remembered what British had "accomplished... for our freedom."
'Shoulder to shoulder''Shoulder to shoulder'
In a short speech, Mr Cameron said the anniversary was a "reminder that Britain and France are not just neighbours in the geographical sense but also in the emotional sense." In a short speech, Mr Cameron said the anniversary was a "reminder that Britain and France are not just neighbours in the geographical sense but also in the emotional sense".
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
He said he was committed to working with France to face "huge challenges".He said he was committed to working with France to face "huge challenges".
"Just as our two great countries stood together in the past, so we must stand shoulder to shoulder today," he said."Just as our two great countries stood together in the past, so we must stand shoulder to shoulder today," he said.
Mr Cameron is also holding 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.
A student from the Charles de Gaulle school in London read the general's speech to Mr Sarkozy; the full text is inscribed on a bronze plaque at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.A student from the Charles de Gaulle school in London read the general's speech to Mr Sarkozy; the full text is inscribed on a bronze plaque at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Mr Cameron is also holding 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 exiles.Posters displaying his words were put up all over London in the days that followed the broadcast, to galvanise French exiles.
About 800 people from the Charles de Gaulle Foundation, the Free French Foundation and other groups had been invited to London to join events.About 800 people from the Charles de Gaulle Foundation, the Free French Foundation and other groups had been invited to London to join events.
Many travelled across the Channel on a specially chartered Eurostar.Many travelled across the Channel on a specially chartered Eurostar.
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.
Gen de Gaulle 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.Gen de Gaulle 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.
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.