[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 22]
[Senate]
[Pages 30264-30265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

  Before commenting on the conference report on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education, just a word or two about the speech of the 
President of France which we just

[[Page 30265]]

heard in a joint meeting of Congress. It was truly inspirational. They 
applauded the United States for our values and urged close cooperation, 
alliance, and friendship between the United States and France.
  He touched some very important subjects, committing France to 
expanded participation in NATO, to have Europe take over more of its 
own defense--which is good news for the taxpayers in the United States 
since our Nation has undertaken more than its proportionate share. He 
spoke in emphatic terms about the unacceptability of Iran having a 
nuclear weapon and the pledge of cooperation from France to engage in 
negotiations and dialog, to see that does not happen.
  There were important words about the Mideast peace process, the need 
to take risks for peace, the need for a secure Israel, the need for 
release of intervention in Lebanon by Syria, about the importance of 
having Israel and the Palestinians come to agreement.
  It was a very impressive speech. I think it bodes very well for 
United States-French relations and for greater participation of France 
in international matters. He also spoke about global warming--received 
a standing ovation--about the need for U.S. participation with other 
nations in environmental protection.

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