Bush offers Sarkozy taste of America

By Frank Fuhrig Aug 12, 2007, 4:15 GMT

Washington - US President George W Bush had a traditional red, white and blue picnic waiting for French President Nicolas Sarkozy as they met under informal conditions at the Bush family retreat.

Sarkozy came to the private, ocean-front estate at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine, in the north-eastern corner of the United States for a meeting as he continues his own personal holidays in the neighbouring New England state of New Hampshire.

The French president lives and works in Paris, which considers itself the world capital of haute haute and couture, among other things.

But he wore jeans, the American denim style that has conquered the world. And Bush offered a meal of red meat in a bun, a global icon to many of American cultural imperialism.

'We're going to give him a hamburger or hot dog, his choice,' Bush told waiting reporters before Sarkozy's arrival.

Bush's mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, as hostess described the menu as a 'traditional family lunch.'

One reporter asked about mustard and catsup for the dogs and burgers.

'It's up to him. We got it all laid out in there,' Bush said. 'He's got some baked beans, if he'd like some baked beans.'

Like any mother emphasizing vegetables, Barbara chimed in to point out 'native Maine corn' to be served, plus salad and fresh tomatoes.

'Corn on the cob, real fresh this time of year,' her son touted before lapsing into colloquial grammar. 'If (Sarkozy) feels like it, he can have him a piece of blueberry pie - fresh blueberries up here in Maine.'

Stateside derision of the French as 'cheese-eating surrender monkeys' peaked around the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a war that Sarkozy's predecessor vehemently opposed. In a possible reference to that time, a reported asked Bush if Sarkozy might be 'bringing cheese?'

But Bush wouldn't nibble at the undiplomatic suggestion: 'I think he's bringing goodwill. He's bringing a good brain, good vision and goodwill.'

When he arrived, Sarkozy cited statistics to support his choice to take a holiday in the United States, which has been controversial at home.

'I came to visit the United States on holiday, on vacation, like 900,000 French do every year,' he said. 'It's a great country. I'm very happy to be here. The United States is a close friend of France, and I'm very glad to be able to meet with the president of the United States.'

Sarkozy invoked the shared history of their two countries, recalling both the Marquis de Lafayette, a French officer who fought with the colonials in the US War for Independence, and the 'cemeteries with small white crosses on the French coast ... young Americans who came to die for us.'

'And that is a lot more important than Mr Sarkozy or Mr Bush, because after Mr Bush, after Mr Sarkozy, we'll continue to be friends of the Americans,' Sarkozy said.

Bush's own vacation plans are to visit his private home, a ranch in Texas, starting on Monday. 'If people were asking me where I think they ought to vacation, it would be right here in America,' he said.

Asked if he would vacation in a foreign country, though, Bush replied, 'Of course, I would. There's some spectacular spots around the world.'

His father, former president George Bush, made a point of telling reporters that the family has vacationed overseas, as if to counteract his son's provincial image.

Another journalist asked the younger Bush if he would consider a holiday in France, if Sarkozy were to make an invitation.

'Absolutely, particularly if he could find a place for me to ride my mountain bike,' Bush said. 'Plenty of mountains over there.'

The coup de grace followed when a reporter asked Bush to 'say something in French.'

But he refused: 'I can barely speak English.'