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| Sarkozy applauded by US Congress | Sarkozy applauded by US Congress |
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| French President Nicolas Sarkozy has told the US Congress it can count on France's support against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iran's nuclear plan. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy has told the US Congress it can count on France's support against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iran's nuclear plan. |
| He received a standing ovation during the first address by a French president to both houses in more than a decade. | He received a standing ovation during the first address by a French president to both houses in more than a decade. |
| He also urged Americans to do more in the fight against global warming. | He also urged Americans to do more in the fight against global warming. |
| The French leader, who is on his first official visit to Washington, later met President George W Bush for talks at Mount Vernon, near Washington. | The French leader, who is on his first official visit to Washington, later met President George W Bush for talks at Mount Vernon, near Washington. |
| They are expected to discuss Iraq, Iran and other Middle Eastern issues. | They are expected to discuss Iraq, Iran and other Middle Eastern issues. |
| 'Eternal debt' | 'Eternal debt' |
| At Congress, Mr Sarkozy was cheered for more than three minutes before he even began his 45-minute address through a translator. | At Congress, Mr Sarkozy was cheered for more than three minutes before he even began his 45-minute address through a translator. |
| In times of difficulty, in times of hardship, America and France have always stood side by side, supported one another, helped one another, fought for each other's freedom Nicolas Sarkozy First day in pictures US warms to new flavour Send us your comments | In times of difficulty, in times of hardship, America and France have always stood side by side, supported one another, helped one another, fought for each other's freedom Nicolas Sarkozy First day in pictures US warms to new flavour Send us your comments |
| He further delighted his audience by saying: "Let me tell you solemnly today, France will remain engaged in Afghanistan as long as it takes, because what's at stake in that country is the future of our values and that of the Atlantic alliance." | He further delighted his audience by saying: "Let me tell you solemnly today, France will remain engaged in Afghanistan as long as it takes, because what's at stake in that country is the future of our values and that of the Atlantic alliance." |
| Mr Sarkozy, 52, did not discuss Iraq but said he wanted France to "resume its full role" in Nato's military command structure after several decades outside it. | Mr Sarkozy, 52, did not discuss Iraq but said he wanted France to "resume its full role" in Nato's military command structure after several decades outside it. |
| And he also impressed his hosts with tough talk on Iran, which the US believes is trying to build nuclear weapons, although Tehran insists its programme is for energy purposes. | And he also impressed his hosts with tough talk on Iran, which the US believes is trying to build nuclear weapons, although Tehran insists its programme is for energy purposes. |
| Mr Sarkozy said: "Let me say it here before all of you: The prospect of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons is unacceptable." | Mr Sarkozy said: "Let me say it here before all of you: The prospect of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons is unacceptable." |
| 'Family' | 'Family' |
| He also urged Americans to "stand alongside Europe in leading the fight against global warming". | He also urged Americans to "stand alongside Europe in leading the fight against global warming". |
| READ THE SPEECH IN FULL Sarkozy speech to Congress [34KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Mr Sarkozy devoted much of his speech to expressing gratitude for US heroism on French battlefields in World War Two, and to praising American values, spirit and culture. | READ THE SPEECH IN FULL Sarkozy speech to Congress [34KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Mr Sarkozy devoted much of his speech to expressing gratitude for US heroism on French battlefields in World War Two, and to praising American values, spirit and culture. |
| "America liberated us. This is an eternal debt," he said, adding: "I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France. | "America liberated us. This is an eternal debt," he said, adding: "I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France. |
| "I think of them, and I am sad, as one is sad to lose a member of one's family." | "I think of them, and I am sad, as one is sad to lose a member of one's family." |
| L'Americain | L'Americain |
| He drew more applause when he told US lawmakers: "In times of difficulty, in times of hardship, America and France have always stood side by side, supported one another, helped one another, fought for each other's freedom." | |
| Mr Sarkozy's speech came one day after the French leader pledged to "reconquer America's heart" as he began his warmly-received visit. | Mr Sarkozy's speech came one day after the French leader pledged to "reconquer America's heart" as he began his warmly-received visit. |
| Relations between the two countries were strained when France opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. | Relations between the two countries were strained when France opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. |
| Mr Sarkozy assured the US it could count on France | Mr Sarkozy assured the US it could count on France |
| The French leader, who spent the afternoon with Mr Bush while on holiday in New England in August, is widely known back in France as "l'Americain" for his pledges to improve transatlantic ties. | The French leader, who spent the afternoon with Mr Bush while on holiday in New England in August, is widely known back in France as "l'Americain" for his pledges to improve transatlantic ties. |
| Elected in May, he is viewed on Capitol Hill as much more pro-American than his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who publicly clashed with Mr Bush over the war in Iraq. | Elected in May, he is viewed on Capitol Hill as much more pro-American than his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who publicly clashed with Mr Bush over the war in Iraq. |
| In 1996, many US lawmakers boycotted an appearance by Mr Chirac at the US Congress to protest against France's nuclear testing in the South Pacific. | In 1996, many US lawmakers boycotted an appearance by Mr Chirac at the US Congress to protest against France's nuclear testing in the South Pacific. |
| On Tuesday, at a White House dinner with Mr Bush, Mr Sarkozy said differences over Iraq should not weaken the alliance between the two countries and Mr Bush agreed. | On Tuesday, at a White House dinner with Mr Bush, Mr Sarkozy said differences over Iraq should not weaken the alliance between the two countries and Mr Bush agreed. |
| Correspondents say the Bush administration increasingly sees Mr Sarkozy as its principal ally in efforts to halt Iran's nuclear programme. | Correspondents say the Bush administration increasingly sees Mr Sarkozy as its principal ally in efforts to halt Iran's nuclear programme. |