Nicolas Sarkozy vante à Tunis l'Union pour la Méditerranée
LE FIGARO: Le chef de l'État a plaidé mardi pour une plus étroite coopération économique entre les deux rives de la Méditerranée.

La Méditerranée encore et toujours ! Au deuxième jour de sa visite d'État en Tunisie, Nicolas Sarkozy est revenu sur un sujet qu'il affectionne entre tous. «Ensemble, le nord de la Méditerranée et le sud de la Méditerranée, on peut créer un pôle gagnant-gagnant qui concurrencera l'Asie», s'est enthousiasmé le chef de l'État devant un parterre de 500 chefs d'entreprise français et tunisiens.

«Il n'y a pas un bon d'avenir pour l'Europe si l'Afrique en général, et l'Afrique du Nord en particulier, ne connaît pas le développement. (…) Nous pouvons créer un modèle qui triomphera dans le monde entier», a poursuivi sur sa lancée le président français.

Encore largement virtuel, le grand chantier méditerranéen suscite un écho favorable chez les décideurs tunisiens qui l'envisagent comme un «accélérateur de projets», espérant aussi bénéficier du statut privilégié de leur pays dans les relations franco-maghrébine. Nicolas Sarkozy vante à Tunis l'Union pour la Méditerranée >>> D’Alain Barluet | 29. 04. 2008

LE FIGARO:
Sarkozy persiste sur les Droits de l'homme en Tunisie >>> | 30. 04. 2008

LE FIGARO:
Carla, la première dame
 en visite de bienfaisance >>> De Charles Jaigu | 30. 04. 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Broché)
The Dawning of a new Dark Age (Relié)

Sarkozy: Punish them!
Photo of Nicolas Sarkozy courtesy of the BBC
BBC: The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has called for those who sabotaged his country's high-speed TGV rail network to be punished with "extreme severity". Sarkozy vows to punish saboteurs (more)

Mark Alexander

France Paralysed by Strikes
· Teachers and postal staff protest at job cuts and pay
· President firm over reform as transport chaos goes on

THE GUARDIAN: President Nicolas Sarkozy faces a crucial test of his nerve today as a transport strike continues into its seventh day of commuter chaos, and civil servants stage a walkout that could see up to half of France's schools closed and disrupt air traffic control, the postal service and even weather forecasts.

France's rail and bus strike is continuing despite trade union leaders agreeing to begin talks with the government and state employers tomorrow. They are protesting at plans to change special pensions deals which allow certain workers to retire as young as 50 on favourable terms.

But the strike has been prolonged to overlap with Sarkozy's latest industrial headache: an unrelated 24-hour stoppage by public sector workers, including teachers, hospital staff and postal workers. State employees from defence ministry secretaries to weather office staff will stop work in protest at low salaries and public sector job cuts. But the president is said to be standing firm on his modernising agenda, in the face of a "black November" of protests against his reforms.

Sarkozy's senior adviser on industrial relations, Raymond Soubie, insisted that this week's snowballing strikes were not the president's "Thatcher moment". He said the transport workers' pension deals would be reformed, but added: "Sarkozy has not wanted to force it through à la Thatcher, but through dialogue." Striking civil servants turn heat on Sarkozy (more) By Angelique Chrisafis

BBC:
Huge new strike paralyses France

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
French strike action spreads

FINANCIAL TIMES:
French strikes widen as civil servants walk out

Mark Alexander

Sarkozy Stands Firm
BBC: France's national rail workers have begun an open-ended strike called in protest at President Nicolas Sarkozy's planned pension reforms.

Rail employees stopped work at 2000 (1900 GMT) and thousands of commuters will be affected on Wednesday morning.

Utility workers are also set to strike. They may be joined by teachers and civil servants on 20 November.

Eurostar says the first train services from London's new St Pancras terminal will be unaffected by the action.

The next few days will be a real test of the French prime minister's nerve, reports the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby from Paris.

"Tomorrow is going to be a hellish day for travellers and perhaps for many days beyond that," Labour Minister Xavier Betrand warned on Tuesday.

That view was echoed by Prime Minister Francois Fillon who told parliament: "Millions of French people will be deprived of their fundamental freedom, the freedom of movement and even perhaps to work." French unions strike over reforms (more)

Mark Alexander

Sarkozy Faces His “Thatcher Moment”
TIMESONLINE: President Sarkozy faces his “Thatcher moment” this week as transport workers open a barrage of public sector strikes aimed at breaking his drive to purge France of its old economic ills.

The hardline unions and Mr Sarkozy see the strikes – that start with the rail network tomorrow evening – as a decisive test of his presidency, an inevitable showdown between a radical new leader and left-wing conservative forces.

Mainstream union leaders say that Mr Sarkozy has forced the fight on to ground that they wanted to avoid – the retirement privileges of certain workers. “The Government wants this conflict to set an example,” Bernard Thibault, leader of the Conféderation Générale du Travail, the biggest union federation, said yesterday.

Rail workers, who paralysed the country for a day last month, start an open-ended strike against Mr Sarkozy’s plans to bring their retirement terms into line with those of the civil service. The Paris underground and bus system, as well as national gas and electricity workers, join them on Wednesday. Next Tuesday, teachers, post office workers and the rest of the Civil Service will strike for one day, and possibly longer, for higher pay and against Mr Sarkozy’s plans to slim down ministries. Nicolas Sarkozy set for showdown as unions prepare wave of strikes (more) By Charles Bremner

Mark Alexander

Bush and Congress Bedazzled by Sarkozy; Sarkozy Aims to Be ‘Ally-in-Chief’
TIMESONLINE: President Sarkozy of France yesterday dazzled President Bush and Congress by proclaiming his love for America as he sought to rekindle a long alliance that turned soured over war in Iraq.

His address to both Houses of Congress was delivered in French. He began by breathing warm words of fidelity into the translation earpieces worn by almost all the US legislators.

To the first of many standing ovations he spoke of the shared values and history of the two nations, dating back to the War of Independence, and declared: “France is the friend of the United States of America.”

At a dinner held in his honour the previous evening, Mr Sarkozy had signalled his amorous intentions when he toasted President Bush, saying: “On behalf of all Frenchmen, I want to reconquer the heart of America.”

Mr Bush replied by making a rare foreign-language foray, welcoming his guest with the words “Bienvenue à la Maison Blanche.” The White House — as it is more usually known — has been enthralled by Mr Sarkozy, who appears ready to slip into the role of “ally-in-chief” so recently vacated by Tony Blair. Je t’aime, Nicolas Sarkozy tells America as he aims to be the ‘ally-in-chief’ (more)

BBC:
France divided as Sarkozy woos US By Hugh Schofield

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITNG:
Sarkozy und Bush demonstrieren Geschlossenheit: Haltung gegenüber iranischem Atomprogramm bekräftigt

LE FIGARO:
Sarkozy exalte l’amitié franco-américaine D’Alain Barluet

Mark Alexander

The Wonderful and Refreshing M Sarkozy: ”France Is the Friend of the United States of America”
Photos of Sarkozy (and Bush) thanks to the BBC
BBC: French President Nicolas Sarkozy has received a standing ovation from US lawmakers during an address to a joint session of the US Congress.

It was the first time for more than a decade that a French president spoke to both houses.

The French leader, who is on his first official visit to Washington, will also hold talks with US President George W Bush at Mount Vernon, near Washington.

They are expected to discuss Iraq, Iran and other Middle Eastern issues.

In his address to Congress, Mr Sarkozy drew applause from lawmakers when he stressed: "France is the friend of the United States of America." Sarkozy applauded by US Congress (more)

BBC:
Sarkozy woos US audience

Mark Alexander

’Sarkozy Begins Washington Visit’
BBC: French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun his first official visit to the United States since coming to power.

He is due to address a joint session of Congress and hold talks with US President George W Bush.

Mr Sarkozy will also present the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, to several US citizens.

The two presidents are expected to discuss the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions, about which officials say they are in close agreement.

Correspondents say the visit will help heal the divisions between the two countries that came to a head when France opposed the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The French president, who was elected in May and visited the US on holiday in August, is seen as more pro-American than his predecessor Jacques Chirac. Sarkozy begins Washington visit (more)

US warms to new French flavour

BBC VIDEO:
Sarkozy arrives in Washington

Mark Alexander

First Big Test of Sarkozy’s Resolve
BBC: France is waking to a nationwide one-day strike by public transport workers that has left the country with almost no train, bus or metro services.

The strike began on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1800 GMT).

It is the first test of President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve to push through public sector reform including plans to scrap pension privileges.

Workers in jobs deemed physically demanding will no longer be able to retire at the age of 50.

The strike comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.
Tens of thousands of English and South African fans are expected to arrive in Paris. France wakes to transport misery (more)

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
Strike hits French transport

Mark Alexander

Speculation Mounts About Sarkozy’s Marriage
SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL: French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Cecilia are rumored to be on the verge of divorce. If confirmed, it would mark the end of the president's attempts to create an image of domestic harmony for political gain.

Cecilia Sarkozy is the only topic that evokes both loving adoration and admissions of vulnerability from France's habitually gruff president. "She's my strength and my Achilles heel at the same time," admitted Nicolas Sarkozy in the fall of 2003, long before he moved into the presidential Elysee Palace.

As late as this spring, he was convinced that voters would be charmed by his wife: "If you loved Jacqueline Kennedy, you are going to adore Cecilia Sarkozy." But then his confidence waned by summer: "At the end of the day, my only real worry is Cecilia."

For weeks, the signs have been mounting that the presidential couple may be headed toward an imminent break up. There is no other plausible explanation for her constant absence from public life. Compared to Cecilia Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's notoriously publicity-shy spouse Joachim Sauer looks like her constant companion. Is the Sarkozy Marriage On the Rocks? (more)
Mark Alexander

«Frankreich will ein Freund Russlands sein»
Foto von Sarkozy und Putin dank der Neuen Zürcher Zeitung
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Frankreichs Präsident Sarkozy ist zu seinem ersten Staatsbesuch in Russland eingetroffen. Die zentralen Themen der Treffen mit dem russischen Präsidenten Putin sollen der Iran-Konflikt und der Energiestreit sein. Sarkozy schlägt gegenüber Russland kritischere Töne an, als es sein Vorgänger Chirac getan hatte.

(ap) Der französische Präsident Nicolas Sarkozy ist zum Auftakt seines ersten Staatsbesuchs in Moskau mit dem russischen Staatschef Wladimir Putin zusammengetroffen. «Für den Weltfrieden müssen wir zusammenarbeiten», sagte Sarkozy am Abend nach einem Empfang auf Putins Datscha in Nowo-Ogariewo nahe der Hauptstadt. «Frankreich will ein Freund Russlands sein und das Land verstehen.» Für die Begegnungen der beiden Präsidenten am Dienstag und Mittwoch standen der Iran-Konflikt und der Energiestreit auf der Tagesordnung. «Frankreich will ein Freund Russlands sein»: Sarkozy zu erstem Staatsbesuch in Moskau eingetroffen

Mark Alexander

Sarkozy à Moscou
LE FIGARO: Le président de la République française effectue aujourd'hui et demain sa première visite officielle en Russie.

« DÉFENDRE nos intérêts et dire franchement ce que nous pensons, c'est faisable. » Nicolas Sarkozy, en partant aujourd'hui pour Moscou, aura peut-être à l'esprit ce propos figurant dans le rapport que lui a récemment remis Hubert Védrine sur « La France et la mondialisation ». Cette visite officielle, certainement l'une des plus importantes depuis le début du quinquennat, aura valeur de test pour la diplomatie d'un président qui répète inlassablement que toutes les promesses du candidat Sarkozy seront tenues. Sa campagne, on s'en souvient, avait été émaillée d'engagements annonçant un durcissement à l'égard du Kremlin sur des sujets que Jacques Chirac évitait de mettre publiquement sur la table : la Tchétchénie, les droits de l'homme, le comportement « impérial » de la Russie vis-à-vis de son « étranger proche ». Dès sa prise de fonction, le nouveau président s'était prononcé pour un « dialogue franc, confiant, régulier » avec Moscou. Sarkozy rode sa nouvelle diplomatie à Moscou (suivant) Par Alain Barluet

Mark Alexander

Vlad a Hit Even in Global Gay Community!

What's up with Vlad?

LONDON (Reuters) - Time was, all a politician had to do to look good was kiss a baby. These days, projecting the right image is getting a whole lot more strenuous.

From Russian President Vladimir Putin being photographed bare-chested and muscle-bound fishing in a river, to French President Nicolas Sarkozy paddling a canoe in his swimming trunks, fitness and action are the political order of the day.

Get it right, and the publicity can be winning -- Putin's mountain-landscape poses have been a hit among female voters at home, according to Russian media, and have apparently struck a chord amongst the global gay community as well. Hunky Vlad, slim Sarko -- playing with PR fire (more)

Mark Alexander

Sarkozy a évoqué lundi la possibilité de relancer les négociations d'adhésion de la Turquie!
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Le président Nicolas Sarkozy, adversaire déclaré de l'entrée de la Turquie dans l'UE, a évoqué lundi la possibilité de relancer les négociations d'adhésion de ce pays.

M. Sarkozy, dans un discours-programme de politique étrangère, a pris soin de réaffirmer qu'il n'était toujours pas favorable à une adhésion, mais sans fermer la porte catégoriquement comme autrefois.

Il a lié cette évolution au lancement d'ici la fin de l'année par les 27 d'un comité de dix ou douze "sages de très haut niveau" qui serait chargé de réfléchir à l'avenir du projet européen à l'horizon 2020-2030.

"Si cette réflexion essentielle sur l'avenir de notre Union est lancée par les 27, la France ne s'opposera pas à ce que de nouveaux chapitres de la négociation entre l'Union et la Turquie soient ouverts dans les mois et les années qui viennent", a-t-il dit.

M. Sarkozy a posé pour condition que "ces chapitres soient compatibles avec les deux visions possibles de l'avenir de leurs relations: soit l'adhésion, soit une association aussi étroite que possible sans aller jusqu'à l'adhésion".

Le président a toutefois souligné qu'il n'était toujours pas partisan d'une adhésion. "Je ne vais pas faire d'hypocrisie: chacun sait que je ne suis favorable qu'à l'association (...) Je pense que cette idée d'association sera un jour reconnue par tous comme étant la plus raisonnable", a-t-il dit.

Mais M. Sarkozy s'est abstenu de reprendre les formules-choc qu'il avait employées par le passé pour rejeter toute perspective d'adhésion, comme "la Turquie n'a pas sa place" dans l'UE. Sarkozy met un bémol à son opposition à l'entrée d'Ankara dans l'UE (suivant)

LE FIGARO:
L’Europe, "priorité absolue" de Nicolas Sarkozy Par Samuel Laurent

Mark Alexander

Sarkozy Not Afraid to Talk of ”Chemical Castration” for Pædophiles

Photo of M Sarkozy courtesy of the BBC

BBC: French President Nicolas Sarkozy has lost no time since returning from holiday in demonstrating that his political touch has not deserted him.

His response to a shocking news story - the alleged abduction and rape of a young boy by a serial sex offender who had just been freed from jail - was vintage Sarko.

Flanked by senior ministers on the steps of the Elysee Palace, the president announced a handful of simple, direct measures on an emotive topic - protecting children from paedophiles - that he knows will go down well with the public.

No more reduced sentences for sex offenders; secure hospitals for those still considered dangerous at the end of their sentences; tougher controls for those who are freed.

'Chemical castration'

The populist language was familiar.

He was not afraid, Mr Sarkozy said, to call hormonal treatment for paedophiles "chemical castration".

On the convicted paedophile who allegedly attacked the five-year-old boy, he said: "I don't understand how someone is sentenced to 27 years and only serves 18."

In a matter of minutes, President Sarkozy cut through a mountain of law and regulation in a highly complicated area to get to the heart of what concerns people: punishment for criminals, and protection for their potential victims. Sarkozy's anti-paedophile action-plan (more) By Alistair Sandford

Mark Alexander

Sarkozy: Staatschef, der sich aufführt wie ein Filmstar von Paparazzi gejagt! Alles muß schön, teuer, und luxuriös sein!
FAZ: 21. August 2007
Die „rupture“, den Bruch mit der Vergangenheit, hat Nicolas Sarkozy den Franzosen vor seiner Wahl zum Staatspräsidenten versprochen. Das sollte auch für den Stil seiner Politik gelten. Anders als sein Vorgänger Chirac wolle er nicht zurückgezogen hinter den Mauern des Elysée-Palastes die Geschicke des Staates lenken, eingepresst in steife Protokolle und Rituale, sondern er wolle bürgernah, offen und pragmatisch regieren, versprach Sarkozy. Dabei solle er für seine Handlungen immer zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden können.

Die Ferien von Sarkozy, so sehen es viele Kommentatoren, wollen nicht recht dazu passen. Schon zum zweiten Mal in seiner noch nicht einmal hundert Tage währenden Amtszeit sorgen sie für Aufsehen, weil sie teuer waren und von reichen Managern bezahlt wurden. Dem aufgrund von politischem Druck verkürzten Yachturlaub vor Malta zwischen Wahl und Amtseinführung im Mai, den der Unternehmer Vincent Bolloré bezahlte, folgten die gerade beendeten Ferien im amerikanischen Bundesstaat New Hampshire. Sarkozy lässt sich gern verwöhnen (mehr) Von Christian Schubert, Paris

Mark Alexander

’Sarko the American’
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

Sarkozy bei seinem neuen Freund, Ghadhafi, in Libyen zu Gast

Foto von Sarkozy mit Ghadhafi in Libyen dank der NZZ

NZZ: Sarkozy ist nach der Freilassung des bulgarischen Spitalpersonals nach Libyen gereist, um die Herstellung enger Beziehungen zwischen Europa und Ghadhafi zu fördern. Er schob sich in die Rolle desjenigen, der auf der Bühne die Preise verleiht und den Dank dafür entgegennimmt, auch wenn er sie längst nicht alle selber gestiftet hat.

vk. Limassol, 25. Juli

Der französische Präsident Sarkozy ist am Mittwoch, einen Tag nach der Freilassung des bulgarischen Spitalpersonals, nach Libyen gereist, um die Herstellung enger Beziehungen zwischen Europa und der Jamahiriya des Revolutionsführers Ghadhafi zu fördern. Die Maschine des Präsidenten landete gegen Abend auf dem Flughafen von Mitiga in Tripolis. Am Abend vereinbarten die beiden im Palast Bab Azizia eine Zusammenarbeit bei der Nutzung von Atomenergie. Präsident Sarkozy in libyschem Rampenlicht: Wirtschaftliche Interessen Frankreichs an verbesserter Kooperation (mehr)

LE FIGARO:
La France et la Libye signent un accord sur le nucléaire civil

Mark Alexander

Sarkozy pour l’énergie nucléare civile libyenne
REUTERS (FRANCE): TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Nicolas Sarkozy a réaffirmé dans la nuit de mercredi à jeudi en Libye que les pays en développement devaient pouvoir accéder à l'énergie nucléaire civile s'ils respectent les règles internationales.

Le document sur la "coopération dans le domaine des applications pacifiques de l'énergie nucléaire", signé lors de cette visite par le chef de la diplomatie française Bernard Kouchner et son homologue libyen, n'est pas encore un accord en bonne et due forme, a-t-il souligné lors d'un point de presse.

C'est un "mémorandum d'entente" fixant un objectif précis à la coopération franco-libyenne : l'installation en Libye d'un réacteur nucléaire destiné à la production d'eau potable par le dessalement d'eau de mer.

Si accord en bonne et due forme il doit y avoir sur ce projet, auquel serait vraisemblablement associé le groupe français Areva, ce sera "dans plusieurs mois, voire plusieurs années", a souligné Nicolas Sarkozy.

Néanmoins, depuis que la Libye a renoncé en 2003 à se doter de l'arme atomique, le sujet d'une collaboration avec le régime du colonel Mouammar Kadhafi dans le domaine du nucléaire civil, qui est au demeurant une spécialité française et une source potentiel de futurs contrats, a cessé d'être tabou.

Nicolas Sarkozy a d'ailleurs évoqué un autre projet de coopération entre la France et la Libye : la recherche dans ce pays de gisements d'uranium - matière première dont Areva a besoin, a-t-il souligné. Sarkozy plaide pour l'accès des pays arabes au nucléaire civil (suivant)

Mark Alexander

Go on Tsarko! Give Libya a Prize for Holding the Nurses for Eight Years on Ridiculous Trumped Up Charges, Why Don’t You? And by Drawing the EU Ever Closer to Libya, You Can Islamize Europe Still Further!

Photo of Sarkozy courtesy of the BBC

BBC: French President Nicolas Sarkozy is travelling to Tripoli to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, a day after the release of six foreign medics.

The meeting is being seen as a sign of the normalisation of ties between Libya and the EU following the release.

The foreign workers were held for eight years for infecting children with HIV.

The five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor, who served eight years of their life sentences, always maintained they were innocent.

All six were pardoned on their arrival in Sofia by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.

Immigration support

Europe and the US had made it clear to Libya that resolving their situation was the key to improving ties.
Mr Sarkozy wants to further Libyan help in the fight against terrorism, says the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris. Sarkozy to boost EU-Libya links (more)

Mark Alexander