François Hollande arrives in US for state visit to Obama

[ucrdem]

Source: BBC

French President Francois Hollande has arrived in the US for a state visit, as he and President Barack Obama tout their co-operation on issues from Iran to trade and climate change. After Mr Hollande's arrival on Monday afternoon, he and Mr Obama flew to Monticello in the state of Virginia, the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the US, an envoy to France, and the third US president.

In articles published jointly in US and French newspapers, they said "our deepening partnership offers a model for international cooperation". A state dinner will be held on Tuesday. The trip comes as Mr Hollande is mired in low approval ratings at home and a personal scandal.

'Transformed'

In articles published jointly in the Washington Post and Le Monde, the Western leaders hailed their joint efforts in the Middle East, including negotiations with Iran that led to an interim agreement on its disputed nuclear programme, and in Syria, where they said their threat of force had "paved the way for the plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons".

Mr Obama and Mr Holland also urged action to combat climate change, writing their countries could "expand the clean energy partnerships that create jobs and move us toward low-carbon growth".



Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26130252

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p.s. I heard Michelle give a speech in français on franceinfo, I'll post a link if I can find one. . .

[ucrdem]

1. French Leader Opens Unusual State Visit To US

French President Francois Hollande arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on February 10, 2014 at the start of a three-day visit to the US. Hollande hopes to shore up business ties and revive France’s stagnant economy.

February 10, 2014 4:52 PM

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — An ocean away from his romantic troubles, French President Francois Hollande on Monday joined President Barack Obama for a tour of a picturesque estate built by a famed Francophile. The trip to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello marks the start of a state visit designed to showcase enduring U.S. ties with its oldest ally France, rather than the lack of a first lady accompanying Hollande on a formal occasion.

Obama and Hollande greeted each other at the steps of Air Force One, then boarded the plane for the short trip from Washington to Charlottesville, Va. The two leaders traveled on a smaller version of the presidential plane due to size restrictions at the Virginia airport, where they arrived on a chilly February afternoon.

The French president is traveling in the U.S. without a female companion, following his very public split with longtime partner Valerie Trierweiler. Their breakup has dominated headlines following a gossip magazine’s revelations about a secret tryst with a French actress. The last-minute change of plans created a tricky situation for American officials planning a high-profile event where diplomatic protocol and etiquette are in the spotlight.

Still, Hollande was receiving a warm welcome reserved only for America’s closest allies. His visit with Obama to Monticello was aimed at highlighting the long-standing ties between the U.S. and France. Jefferson, a Founding Father and former president, was also an early U.S. envoy to France and is honored with a statue on Paris’ Seine River. Monday marks the first time a sitting president has visited Monticello with a current foreign head of state.

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/02/10/french-leader-opens-unusual-state-visit-to-us/

[ucrdem]

2. "The French opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq

(more from above)

In public appearances during the state visit, Obama and Hollande are expected to focus on areas where U.S.-French priorities are visibly in sync, such as in efforts to resolve nuclear concerns in Iran, a civil war in Syria and extremism in Africa. Mutual interests such as combating climate change and securing a trade deal between the U.S. and Europe will also be messages the two will seek to highlight.

“A decade ago, few would have imagined our two countries working so closely together in so many ways. But in recent years our alliance has transformed,” Obama and Hollande wrote in a joint op-ed in the Washington Post and France’s Le Monde. “We are sovereign and independent nations that make our decisions based on our respective national interests. Yet we have been able to take our alliance to a new level because our interests and values are so closely aligned.”

The French opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Hollande’s state visit continues into Tuesday, when he’ll be greeted at the White House with trumpet fanfares and a 21-gun salute. Following his meetings with Obama, the leaders will hold a joint news conference, then don tuxedos for a state dinner feting Hollande.

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/02/10/french-leader-opens-unusual-state-visit-to-us/
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. . . meanwhile Le Figaro posts a front-page retraction of its Beyoncé-Obama liaison rumor:

Obama/Beyoncé : le paparazzi français Pascal Rostain se rétracte

http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/2014/02/10/03004-20140210ARTFIG00155-un-celebre-paparazzi-francais-promet-un-scoop-mondial-sur-barack-obama-et-beyonce.php#xtor=AL-155

[ucrdem]

3. France’s suddenly single François Hollande makes U.S. visit

France’s suddenly single François Hollande makes U.S. visit, hoping to get past the snickers after very public split
Sylvie Corbet and Jamey Keaten, Associated Press | February 10, 2014 3:08 PM ET


PARIS — France’s suddenly single president arrives Monday in the U.S. for a state visit, hoping the glaring absence of his first lady won’t steal the limelight from his focus on major policy issues with President Barack Obama.

Francois Hollande, a bespectacled 59-year-old former Socialist party boss, will be highlighting France’s shared interests with Washington on issues like Syria’s civil war, Iran’s nuclear program and terrorism in Africa.

First, he may need to get past the snickers: Hollande drew headlines and ridicule worldwide last month after a gossip magazine reported that he had zipped through Paris in a face-covering helmet on a motor scooter for a tryst with French actress Julie Gayet — unbeknownst to his first lady.

AP video: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/02/10/frances-suddenly-single-francois-hollande-makes-u-s-visit-hoping-to-get-past-the-snickers-after-very-public-split/#ooid=B5bmN5ajq_iCB-U_CmXP6Ql6BcJfoOz7
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happier days:

French President Francois Hollande, left, and President Obama during their meeting in the Oval Office in May 2012.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/02/10/obama-french-president-hollande-have-busy-schedule/

[sheshe2]

4. Thank you for the thread ucrdem!

Still, Hollande was receiving a warm welcome reserved only for America’s closest allies. His visit with Obama to Monticello was aimed at highlighting the long-standing ties between the U.S. and France. Jefferson, a Founding Father and former president, was also an early U.S. envoy to France and is honored with a statue on Paris’ Seine River. Monday marks the first time a sitting president has visited Monticello with a current foreign head of state.

“Monticello reflects Jefferson’s affection for the people of France, the long-standing relations between our two democracies, and the shared values we hold dear: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” the White House said in announcing the visit.
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/02/10/french-leader-opens-unusual-state-visit-to-us/

[ucrdem]

5. Merci bien, sheshe!

and I know it's still a little early but . . .



Joyeuse Saint Valentin à tous !

[Cha]

6. Mahalo, ucrdem.. sorry I didn't see this.. they went to Monticello!

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/02/10/president-obama-and-president-hollande-visit-monticello/

I've been there back in the day.. so much history~