Sarkozy visits London to mark de Gaulle's defiant war speech
Source: Agencies |
June 19, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy marked the 70th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's defiant World War II broadcast from London yesterday, visiting the studio where the leader urged his compatriots to resist the German occupation.
Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, traveled to Britain and toured the British Broadcasting Corp complex in central London where British officials initially refused de Gaulle's request to air his appeal, but relented after the intervention of British wartime leader Winston Churchill.
The visit comes at a time when Europe is wrestling with economic rather than military challenges, and it offers a further chance for the French president and Prime Minister David Cameron, who took office last month, to strengthen ties.
"We come as friends, and friends who remember the past and what France owes you," Sarkozy told an audience of about 1,500 veterans and dignitaries at London's Royal Hospital Chelsea, a hospital and retirement center for ex-soldiers.
Amid pomp and ceremony, Sarkozy bestowed the French Legion d'Honneur on six World War II veterans -- three British and three French.
British and French jets made a ceremonial fly-past through London's cloudy skies, while red jacketed veterans and guards in plumed helmets mingled with dignitaries. Soldiers from both countries formed a joint guard of honor.
"Britain and France will be true to those who died for them in the skies above London, in the Libyan desert, on the Normandy beaches and the plain of Alsace, when all that we hold most dear was threatened with annihilation," Sarkozy told veterans who attended the ceremony. He spoke in French.
Sarkozy and Cameron said commemorations of the past must be matched by strong ties between their two governments on present challenges, including Europe's financial crisis and climate change.
The fallen will be honored "by taking on together the defense of freedom and democracy everywhere in the world," Sarkozy said.
Cameron, who made his first overseas visit as British leader to Paris, greeted Sarkozy warmly.
"The bravery we celebrate today is not just a thing of the past; it is present every day," said Cameron, praising the effort of British and French troops in Afghanistan.
"Today is not just about the shared history of Britain and France, it is about our shared responsibilities and our shared future," he said.
De Gaulle's appeal, which was largely unheard in France when it was initially broadcast and wasn't recorded, was read aloud at the ceremony. The French army choir then sang wartime resistance song "Le Chant des Partisans."
Earlier, Prince Charles accompanied Sarkozy and his wife on a tour of the London headquarters of the Free French, the fighters led by de Gaulle.
Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, traveled to Britain and toured the British Broadcasting Corp complex in central London where British officials initially refused de Gaulle's request to air his appeal, but relented after the intervention of British wartime leader Winston Churchill.
The visit comes at a time when Europe is wrestling with economic rather than military challenges, and it offers a further chance for the French president and Prime Minister David Cameron, who took office last month, to strengthen ties.
"We come as friends, and friends who remember the past and what France owes you," Sarkozy told an audience of about 1,500 veterans and dignitaries at London's Royal Hospital Chelsea, a hospital and retirement center for ex-soldiers.
Amid pomp and ceremony, Sarkozy bestowed the French Legion d'Honneur on six World War II veterans -- three British and three French.
British and French jets made a ceremonial fly-past through London's cloudy skies, while red jacketed veterans and guards in plumed helmets mingled with dignitaries. Soldiers from both countries formed a joint guard of honor.
"Britain and France will be true to those who died for them in the skies above London, in the Libyan desert, on the Normandy beaches and the plain of Alsace, when all that we hold most dear was threatened with annihilation," Sarkozy told veterans who attended the ceremony. He spoke in French.
Sarkozy and Cameron said commemorations of the past must be matched by strong ties between their two governments on present challenges, including Europe's financial crisis and climate change.
The fallen will be honored "by taking on together the defense of freedom and democracy everywhere in the world," Sarkozy said.
Cameron, who made his first overseas visit as British leader to Paris, greeted Sarkozy warmly.
"The bravery we celebrate today is not just a thing of the past; it is present every day," said Cameron, praising the effort of British and French troops in Afghanistan.
"Today is not just about the shared history of Britain and France, it is about our shared responsibilities and our shared future," he said.
De Gaulle's appeal, which was largely unheard in France when it was initially broadcast and wasn't recorded, was read aloud at the ceremony. The French army choir then sang wartime resistance song "Le Chant des Partisans."
Earlier, Prince Charles accompanied Sarkozy and his wife on a tour of the London headquarters of the Free French, the fighters led by de Gaulle.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
