'Obama? That is my Buddy,' Says Sarkozy
Published in Aftenposten
(Norway) on July 25th, 2008
by HÅKON LETVIK (link to original)
(Norway) on July 25th, 2008
by HÅKON LETVIK (link to original)
Translated from
by Ramon Broers.
Edited by .
Following the cheering crowds in Berlin on Thursday, Barack Obama was warmly welcomed in Paris yesterday by President Nicolas Sarkozy, who calls him "my buddy."
At a press conference succeeding the hour long meeting between Obama and Sarkozy they both emphasized the need for better cooperation between the United States and Europe.
"My goal is to make sure that, whether it's our European allies, whether it's Muslim countries, whether it's our friends in Asia, that people feel as if the United States is taking their interests, and not just seeing our foreign policy only through the lens of our own security," Obama said.
He made it clear that his trip to Afghanistan and Iraq was important to him. "We have to send more troops to Afghanistan, as the situation has worsened. And in Iraq the situation has improved, and the Iraqi government is prepared to take more responsibility," Obama said. He characterised Sarkozy's promise of more soldiers as brave. Obama continued to express concern about the situation in Iran. He urged the country not to wait for a new American president, but accept EU's proposals to stop its uranium enrichment program. "Pressure is only going to build," he said.
Obama-Belief
"Contrary to my diplomatic advisers, I never believed Hillary Clinton had a chance. I always said Obama would become the democrats choice for president," president Sarkozy told the French newspaper Le Figaro before Obama's arrival. During the press conference, he also pointed out his great respect for Obama. Sarkozy met Obama for the first time in the U.S. in 2006.
German Praise
After the biggest political gathering in Germany since president John F. Kennedy visited East Berlin in 1963, German politicians and commentators are full of praise. "Obama's speech was a positive signal to Germany and Europe," said the German government's spokesperson Ulrich Wilhelm. "It completely mirrors the German government's sentiment," he continued. Obama's speech and focus on cooperation and dialogue gets similarly positive response from other European countries. Politicians and commentators hope for a new and positive message from a USA that under George W. Bush has paid little attention to its allies on the other side of the Atlantic. Even though Obama did not mention it directly, the speech was considered a plead for stronger German participation in Afghanistan, where it currently has 3500 troops. There is no political will in Berlin to increase the number of soldiers, nor to deploy them in the more dangerous territories of southern Afghanistan.
Quick Visits
While German media this last week has been full of news about Obama's visit and speech in Berlin, French and British media have been more levelheaded. Obama's visit to Paris lasted a mere five hours. After the meeting his airplane, Obama One, departed with direction to London. There he is going to meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the Conservative's David Cameron.
At a press conference succeeding the hour long meeting between Obama and Sarkozy they both emphasized the need for better cooperation between the United States and Europe.
"My goal is to make sure that, whether it's our European allies, whether it's Muslim countries, whether it's our friends in Asia, that people feel as if the United States is taking their interests, and not just seeing our foreign policy only through the lens of our own security," Obama said.
He made it clear that his trip to Afghanistan and Iraq was important to him. "We have to send more troops to Afghanistan, as the situation has worsened. And in Iraq the situation has improved, and the Iraqi government is prepared to take more responsibility," Obama said. He characterised Sarkozy's promise of more soldiers as brave. Obama continued to express concern about the situation in Iran. He urged the country not to wait for a new American president, but accept EU's proposals to stop its uranium enrichment program. "Pressure is only going to build," he said.
Obama-Belief
"Contrary to my diplomatic advisers, I never believed Hillary Clinton had a chance. I always said Obama would become the democrats choice for president," president Sarkozy told the French newspaper Le Figaro before Obama's arrival. During the press conference, he also pointed out his great respect for Obama. Sarkozy met Obama for the first time in the U.S. in 2006.
German Praise
After the biggest political gathering in Germany since president John F. Kennedy visited East Berlin in 1963, German politicians and commentators are full of praise. "Obama's speech was a positive signal to Germany and Europe," said the German government's spokesperson Ulrich Wilhelm. "It completely mirrors the German government's sentiment," he continued. Obama's speech and focus on cooperation and dialogue gets similarly positive response from other European countries. Politicians and commentators hope for a new and positive message from a USA that under George W. Bush has paid little attention to its allies on the other side of the Atlantic. Even though Obama did not mention it directly, the speech was considered a plead for stronger German participation in Afghanistan, where it currently has 3500 troops. There is no political will in Berlin to increase the number of soldiers, nor to deploy them in the more dangerous territories of southern Afghanistan.
Quick Visits
While German media this last week has been full of news about Obama's visit and speech in Berlin, French and British media have been more levelheaded. Obama's visit to Paris lasted a mere five hours. After the meeting his airplane, Obama One, departed with direction to London. There he is going to meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the Conservative's David Cameron.
Previous article![]( "Greenspan: Serial Bubble Blower, Bad Decision Maker")
