AH, HOW WE WISH WE COULD SAY THE SAME, M. LE MINISTRE
France Can Be Counted On For The Challenges

Plan A, of course, is a 2007 run for the French presidency. Plan B appears to be a 2010 run for mayor of NYC.

SARKOZY HONORS NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS

NEW YORK September 10, 2006 (SPI/AP) - French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy honored the New York City Fire Department Sunday for its bravery and service on Sept. 11 in a ceremony on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the attacks.

During his public appearances, he has played down tensions between the United States and France, emphasizing that their shared grief after Sept. 11 united them.

"One thing is sure in the history of our two peoples, each time we faced a challenge, France was able to count on the United States of America," he said at the ceremony to present the [the order of the Medal of Honor of French Firefighters] to the fire department. It was the first time the medal, the highest award for French firefighters, had been given to foreigners.

The ceremony took place at the station of Engine 54, Ladder 4, which lost 15 firefighters on Sept. 11, more than any other in New York.

"You know, of all the disturbing images of Sept. 11, there's one that remains with me," Sarkozy said, speaking in French. "It's an image that an anonymous finger traced in the dust from the debris that covered one of your trucks. It said simply, 'thank you.' ... I want to say something very simple: New York firefighters, you can always count on the firefighters of France," adding that he spoke for all French people.

We thank M. le Ministre. And we thank the pompiers of France. As for all French people, well, we will wait to hear them speak for themselves.

PFFT (What is this?): Better than a sharp stick 3 | Rayonnement français 2½