Peres, Sarkozy Look To Rebuild Their Countries’ Ties

PARIS — His embrace of the president of Israel, President Shimon Peres, spoke of more than personal chemistry: Nicolas Sarkozywants to rebuild France’s frayed ties with Israel, notably by echoing its tough stance against Iran.Mr. Peres’ five-day trip to Paris this week is the first state visit the French president has hosted since taking office 10 months ago — itself a potent message of support at a time of renewed Middle Eastern tensions. During a pomp-filled dinner Monday, Mr. Sarkozy lost no opportunity to assure Mr. Peres of his friendship, saying France will always work to ensure Israel’s survival.“Not from time to time, Mr. President — always,” Mr. Sarkozy said. “And those who call in a scandalous, scandalous way for the destruction of Israel will always find France in front of them to block their route.”France’s gushing display for Mr. Peres was a clear effort by Mr. Sarkozy to get past often-turbulent ties during President Chirac’s tenure.Paris lined the Champs-Elysees with French and Israeli flags — an image not lost on many French Jews, who feel Mr. Sarkozy’s penchant and support for Israel is heartfelt.The president of the Jewish consistory in Paris, Joel Mergui, said the decorations gave him a “deep feeling of joy, especially at a time when you sense that it’s not just about flags.”“It corresponds to something stronger between Israel and France,” he said at a Paris ceremony attended by Mr. Peres on Monday honoring eight people killed at a Jerusalem seminary last week. “It corresponds to something more profound that is being created.”Symbolism aside, Mr. Sarkozy said at the state dinner that Israel “is not alone” in its concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, which will require “a reaction of great firmness.”Some Western countries fear Tehran’s nuclear program is a cover for bomb-building ambitions, but Iran has repeatedly insisted its plans are to generate electricity.Political analyst Dominique Moisi said France has hardened its policy on Iran as a diplomatic effort to forestall any Israeli military action. Israel’s prime minister, Ehud Olmert, said last week that Israel has the firepower to defend itself against any Iranian threat, indicating a willingness to use force if necessary.“The French are concerned about the possibility that Israel would choose a pre-emptive attack on Iranian nuclear installations — and for them to speak tough on Iran is the way to prevent that scenario,” Mr. Moisi said.“If you want to not have to act tough, you have to speak tough, and speaking tough has a dual goal of calming the Israelis and impressing on the Iranians the fact that we are serious,” he said.Mr. Sarkozy also said France, during its presidency of the European Union later this year, will monitor the planning for the U.N. anti-racism conference scheduled to take place in South Africa in 2009.

Peres, Sarkozy Look To Rebuild Their Countries’ Ties

Peres, Sarkozy Look To Rebuild Their Countries’ Ties

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