Sarkozy snubbed?
The Obamas turn up in Paris this evening, but have declined a dinner invitation from the couple next door: the Sarkozys.
President Obama’s reluctance to spend more than minimum time with the French leader on his visit for the D-Day anniversary has come as an embarrassment to the Elysée Palace.
America’s First Family will not be dining with President Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, even though they are staying at the residence of the US Ambassador, yards from the Elysée apartments where the Sarkozys spend their weekends.
Mr Sarkozy’s staff were trying yesterday to arrange another private moment between the couples. Mr Obama is due to fly back to Washington tomorrow night or on Sunday.
Mr Sarkozy’s dream date would be dinner somewhere spectacular such as the Jules Verne, an Alain Ducasse restaurant on the Eiffel Tower. The Obamas were reported on French celebrity websites to be planning a meal there.
A glamorous joint outing might be compared with the ones that President de Gaulle undertook with John and Jackie Kennedy in 1961. On that trip, Mrs Kennedy was such a hit that JFK presented himself as “the man who accompanied Jackie Kennedy to Paris”.
Failure to socialise with the Obamas will add to mockery that has greeted Mr Sarkozy’s attempts to stage the 65th anniversary of D-Day as a “Barack and Sarko show”. The media and Opposition have mocked Mr Sarkozy over Mr Obama’s coolness towards him, which is only partly due to his handling of the Normandy commemoration.
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Mac Says:
I thought The One was all about building bridges and friendships… Oh well!!
Posted on June 6th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
WCT Says:
Possibly an iPod would be a nice gift for the French President to compensate for the snub. POTUS needs some lessons in diplomacy – Harper seems to have learned the ropes after being accused of never having been out of the country before becoming PM.
Posted on June 6th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Jack Says:
It’s a thought.
Posted on June 6th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Cynapse Says:
Didn’t Sarkozy snub the British Royal Family? What does around comes around, methinks. These world leaders are worse than a high school clique.
Posted on June 6th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
MaryT Says:
On O’s first trip to France, before the election, Sarkozy’s wife snubbed O. Media said she did not want to be shown up by Michelle. What goes around comes around.
Snubbing the Queen was very bad. She is the only head of state who is still alive that wore the uniform during WW11.
Posted on June 7th, 2009 at 3:32 am
Soccermom Says:
I agree, the Queen should have been there.
Posted on June 7th, 2009 at 11:29 am