Mr. Sarkozy Goes to Washington

French prez sets aside economic differences for D.C. lovefest
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 6, 2007 7:02 AM CST
Mr. Sarkozy Goes to Washington
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, right, smiles to Prime Minister Francois Fillon, partially seen at left, at the Court of Accounts, Monday Nov.5, 2007 in Paris. In his first six months as French president, Sarkozy has lived up to his pledge to heal relations with the United States fractured by the...   (Associated Press)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives in Washington today for his first visit to the capital since his election, and the red carpet has been rolled out big time. President Bush will host a state dinner tonight for the newly eligible near-divorcé. The US and France have serious disagreements, especially on economic policy, but French officials tell Bloomberg that they'll be temporarily set aside for the DC lovefest.

Sarkozy will address a joint session of Congress, where not so long ago French-dissing "freedom fries" were on the cafeteria menu. He also plans to visit George Washington's home in Mount Vernon. An Elysée spokesman said the state visit is "about symbols," and that the French president might air his grievances with American policy at a business council meeting later this week. (More Nicolas Sarkozy stories.)

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