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Sarkozy's keen to be seen with 'my pal Barack'
25.07.08
French president Nicolas Sarkozy leapt onto the Barack Obama bandwagon today as he told the world that the American politician was "my pal".
As Mr Obama arrived in Paris for a flying visit this afternoon, the French president said: "Obama? He's my pal. Unlike my diplomatic advisers, I never believed in Hillary Clinton's chances. I always said that Obama would be nominated."
Mr Obama touched down at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, after a triumphant reception in Berlin and was met with an equally enthusiastic welcome. Mr Sarkozy made his endorsement to the Right-wing newspaper Le Figaro. The Left-wing LibÈration carried a full-page picture of him and, under the headline "Obamania", praised his oratorical skills and appeals for international unity.
Opinion polls in France mirror those elsewhere in Europe to show a huge majority would prefer Mr Obama to succeed George Bush in the November elections.
Mr Sarkozy made it clear that it was not a presidential visit. Le Figaro said: "Nicolas Sarkozy's advisers received only one demand from the team of the Democratic candidate: no American flag for the press conference, because it's a candidate being received, not the president of the United States."
Mr Obama's spokeswoman Wendy Morigi said: "Senator Obama looks forward to meeting with President Sarkozy and discussing areas of mutual interest, including security, trans-national threats, and the global economy."
