By April MacIntyre Apr 3, 2009, 16:31 GMT
President Barack Obama continues his European tour to much fanfare and some minor grumbling about the appropriateness of Royal gifts (an iPod to Queen Elizabeth II loaded with his speeches, photos of her US trip and her favorite show tunes) as he and his first lady Michelle meet and greet the continent's top political leaders.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) shares a laugh with First Lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy. The latest news shows France's President Nicolas Sarkozy warmly embracing the American leader and his wife, but his first lady, ex model and pop singer Carla Bruni, is snapped deflecting any sort of kiss or embrace as the two couples did their photo moment. EPA/SHAWN THEW
The latest news shows France's President Nicolas Sarkozy warmly embracing the American leader and his wife, but his first lady, ex model and pop singer Carla Bruni, is snapped deflecting any sort of kiss or embrace as the two couples did their photo moment.
The picturesque setting was Strasbourg's 18th-century Rohan Palace. The French city borders Germany, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also in attendance.
The Sun published pictures that show Bruni offering just her hand to the US President. link
Bruni, according to the Sun, "gave customary pecks on both cheeks to Michelle Obama and other dignitaries when the couple arrived in France."
Obama was an exception, as she extended just her hand.
The meeting was before the formal start of the NATO alliance’s 60th anniversary summit, as President Sarkozy put on an impressive formal show for the visiting dignitaries.
The Sun reports that the two couples each heard their respective national anthems played by a French military band.
President Obama warned of the still present threat of Al Quaeda and spoke of the economic crisis, noting that “every nation bears responsibility for what lies ahead - especially now".
He added: “I’ve come to Europe this week to renew our partnership. America is changing but it cannot be America alone that changes.”
Despite Madame Sarkozy's seemingly less-than-enthusiastic greeting, President Obama opened his Strasbourg town hall with warm words. Obama noted, "It is a great honor for me to be here in Europe, to be here in Strasbourg. I want to make just a few acknowledgments. I want to thank the president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, for being such a terrific friend. I want to thank his wife, Madame Sarkozy. They just hosted us at the palace and could not have been more gracious."
Bruni is an Italian heiress who came up as a model, famously trysting with Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton among many famous men. She has been quoted by France's Le Figaro Madame magazine in 2008 that she became easily "bored with monogamy", adding: "Love lasts a long time, but burning desire - two to three weeks."
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JakeApr 3rd, 2009 - 18:27:46
Forget her - she's got a model's mentality - low!
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