SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Hot dogs instead of lobster and hamburgers rather than swordfish: French President Nicolas Sarkozy's blitz visit to the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport was anything but a culinary summit. Politically, it was all show. Sarkozy, who outed himself as "Sarko the American" on the campaign trail wants to show that he is making a clean break from Chirac.
The entire Bush clan made an appearance at Walkers Point in Kennebunkport -- from current US President George W. to his father, former President George H.W. Also present was George W.'s brother Jeb, the former governor of Florida, as were the current first lady Laura Bush and former first lady Barbara, along with their children and grandchildren. It was not a political meeting between statesmen but a family reunion with a French addition.
Sure, global problems were apparently as big a part of the visit as burgers and hot dogs. There is enough to be dealt with, after all: Iraq and Afghanistan, plus problems on the international financial markets. But once again, the images and impressions Sarkozy wanted to leave behind took precedence.
Although he does not speak English fluently, and although Bush does not speak French at all ("I can barely speak English," the US president quipped), the visit was meant to emphasize one thing more than anything else: that the physically unimposing Sarkozy is used to dealing with the world's powerful in a completely relaxed way.
There must be an explanation, after all, for the presence of Chirac's successor in the United States -- given that many people in France are none too pleased about the circumstances of the luxury vacation, which is reminiscent of the expensive yacht holiday off the coast of Malta that Sarkozy treated himself to immediately following his electoral victory. At the time, the embarrassing public relations blooper put a serious dent in Sarkozy's image as a man of the people. This time, too, it remains unclear how much the French president had to shell out for the villa in exclusive Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The rent for the estate -- which comes with a private beach, three boats and a jacuzzi -- is said to be about $30,000 a week. Sarkozy Praises ‘Land of Friendship’ (more)
Mark Alexander
