The visit of left-leaning French President Francois Hollande to the US on February 10-12 has strengthened the bilateral relations between the two countries. The last visit of a French president to the US was in 1996 - by President Jacques Chirac. The relations between the two old allies deteriorated since George Bush unilaterally ordered attack on Iraq in 2003. Both President Chirac and Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroder opposed tooth and nail in the Security Council passage of a resolution against pre-emptive attack against Iraq on the pretext of weapons of mass destruction.
From the talks and the joint press briefing, it appeared that Presidents Barack Obama and Hollande would work closely towards establishing peace in war-torn Central Africa, particularly in Mali, a former French colony. There the Obama administration has stepped up military aid to Mali's neighbours. The 15-nation alliance, known as the Economic Community of West African states, has agreed to provide 3,300 soldiers. This was to bolster Mali's army to confront Islamist group AQIM, an offshoot of al-Qaeda.
At the joint press conference, President Obama answered to the criticism from Saudi Arabia for backing out from his promise to hit the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad if he crossed the redline of using chemical weapons against civilian population. He posited that there was no military solution to the conflict, but diplomacy, as of now, has failed to produce tangible results in Syria. The French President was of the opinion that the US and France were united along with P 5 + 1 partners to achieve a comprehensive solution that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. In Syria, credible threats of force paved the way for plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons. Hollande underscored the fact that the international community must step up its efforts to help Syrian people, strengthen moderate Syrian opposition and work for a political transition through negotiations.
During the talks, both the Presidents discussed controversial surveillance of America around the world. The French President accepted clarification of the events which caused widespread criticism around the world following revelations by former National Security Agency's contractor Edward Snowden.
On Iran, Obama and Hollande were on the same wavelength and the former warned again that 'imposing new sanctions would risk scuttling an interim agreement'.
In response to a question by French newsmen, President Obama said both England and France are wonderful partners in their own ways. He accepted an invitation to visit France to attend the 70th anniversary of D-Day invasion in June this year.
The US and France have strengthened economic cooperation arena over the years. These have made France one of the top export destinations of American products while the US has become the largest customer of French products next to the European Union.
Hollande, accompanied by Obama, visited Monticello in Virginia, the home of President Thomas Jefferson. The French President presented six World War veterans with Legion of Honor at a ceremony in the French embassy in Washington.
It was followed by presentation of French medals of the highest honour to the unknown soldiers at Arlington cemetery of Virginia where possibly a number of solders were laid to rest after being killed in war in Normandy of France. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama gave a banquet in honour of the French President at the White House where more than 300 guests were present. Hollande also visited San Francisco on February 12 to meet a large section of the French community there.
The writer is a retired diplomat from Bangladesh. amjad.21@gmail.com
Franco-US ties: Obama, Hollande ignite old flames
Mohammad Amjad Hossain from Virginia, USA | Published: February 21, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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