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Sarkozy applauded by US Congress Bush and Sarkozy declare Iran aim
(about 4 hours later)
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. US President George W Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have said they will work jointly to convince Iran to give up its nuclear programme.
He received a standing ovation during the first address by a French president to both houses in more than a decade. After talks at Mount Vernon, near Washington, Mr Bush praised his French counterpart as "a partner in peace".
He also urged Americans to do more in the fight against global warming. Mr Sarkozy earlier received a standing ovation during the first address in more than a decade by a French leader to a joint session of Congress.
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. He pledged to US lawmakers that France would support the US in Afghanistan.
They are expected to discuss Iraq, Iran and other Middle Eastern issues. But he also urged Americans to do more in the fight against global warming and complained that the Bush administration had allowed the dollar to plummet against the euro.
'Eternal debt' 'Unacceptable'
At Congress, Mr Sarkozy was cheered for more than three minutes before he even began his 45-minute address through a translator. In a press conference later following talks at Mount Vernon, the historic home of inaugural US president George Washington, Mr Bush said the pair had agreed to "work jointly to convince the Iranian regime to give up their nuclear ambitions for the sake of peace".
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 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 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." Mr Sarkozy told reporters: "It is unacceptable that Iran should have a nuclear weapon but Iran is entitled to civilian nuclear energy."
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. The US believes Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons but 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. The BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington, says Mr Sarkozy has taken on the mantle of the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in the affections of the US.
Mr Sarkozy said: "Let me say it here before all of you: The prospect of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons is unacceptable." It is a stark contrast to the frosty relations under Mr Sarkozy's predecessor, Jacques Chirac, he adds.
'Family''Family'
At Congress earlier, the current resident of the Elysee Palace was cheered for more than three minutes before he even began his 45-minute address.
He 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, who was elected in May, said he wanted France to "resume its full role" in Nato's military command structure after several decades outside it.
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
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 class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/07_11_07_sarkozy_speech.pdf">Sarkozy speech to Congress [34KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">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. And he raised concerns over the dollar's fall against the euro, warning "monetary disarray could morph into economic war" and "we would all be its victims".
Mr Sarkozy devoted much of his speech to expressing gratitude for US heroism on French battlefields in World War II, 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 had pledged to "reconquer America's heart" as he began his warmly-received visit on Tuesday.
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 spoke warmly of French-US relations
Relations between the two countries were strained when France opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Analysts say he has revived relations between the two countries, which were strained when France opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Mr Sarkozy assured the US it could count on France At a White House dinner with Mr Bush on Tuesday, Mr Sarkozy said differences over Iraq should not weaken their alliance and Mr Bush agreed.
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 transatlantic leanings.
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.
Correspondents say the Bush administration increasingly sees Mr Sarkozy as its principal ally in efforts to halt Iran's nuclear programme.