peter from canada...interesting maths. his grandfather was jewish so he will side with israel....does that mean that because there were so many nazis in austria 70 years ago all there granchildren must be nazis too.....where on earth did you learn mathematics...or did you not think very much when you wrote your comment...my grandfather is irish do i therefor side with the irish.....silly silly

frabs, vienna,

Yes let's hope Sarko will align himself with the state which shares the values of other EU states, this is important for the EU of which he is a firm supporter.
Although highly unlikely , I would very much like to see the clause requested by Poland, making the EU a Christian body.
What would the point be if he changed his stance on Turkey ? it is not ready , it is deeply troubled, it is not a true democracy, yet .
Sarkozy's outspoken statements are honest & understandable, unlike Tony Blairs [ & others ] who I see as saying what Turkey want to hear whilst thinking otherwise.
It will take longer than 10 Years for a true democracy to emerge in Istanbul, pity because they have so much to bring to the union, but a democracy Turkey must be before they can possibly expect acceptance.

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

I would really see a peaceful world ... Boundless loving and caring among world members.. Shall it not be more meaningful if we can travel to the Milky Way to all the planets around us rather than war...? Can't we make crusading Milky Way as a "Millineum War" ... Does only astronouts legible for space trip... when will an ordinary citizen has the opportunity to do so? .. Not matter what belief or political dogma we hold, in the end we want peace and live happily with out love one. sure we can start a new revolution...

Norlia, Sarawak, Malaysia

starkosy's grandfather was a zionist, so expect him to side with olmert, simple math.

peter, kelowna, canada

It's no surprise if Mr. Sarko is pro-Israeli. What rest of other European and American leader have done for Middle East, so we were expecting some really meaningful and to the point resolution on Middle East.

Did, Mr Chirac stop Iraq Invasion, Iran Controversy, Israeli insurgency in Palestine, Israel-Lebanon war in Middle Eest?
Therefore this article is baseless.

Sarfaraz Abbasi, Karachi, Pakistan

France is no world power anymore. Sarkozy cant fix the banlieues
let alone influence the politics of the middle-east where american military might is stuck in murky streets of baghdad.
Sure, he can pose with olmert to annoy arabs, thats all.

cay kasagi, amsterdam, netherlands

Ed from New Zealand and some others are typical of those who hear and see only what they want to see. In 2005 Israel removed all its settlements from Gaza so it is no longer responsible for their well-being. Tha is now the responsibility of the PA and their own government. Yet Palestinians demand finacial help from the world for billions of dollars, whilst unemplyment worsens, they complain of lack of food, etc. The only things that never seem in short supply are arms and ammunition. Is this what international help is for? If anyone would total up the financial help the world has given the Palestinians over the last 58 years he would find that they should be amongst the richest people on earth. Africans can only envy them for the help, sympathy and encouragment they receive to continue wasting the billions they get every year without any improvement in living standards, on the contrary getting worse and worse. Oh, I forgot , of course Israel is to blame for their mismanagement.

Emanuel Fischer, Jerusalem, Israel

Quote:'It’s obvious he doesn’t get out much or watch the news.'

Ed, Hamilton, New Zealand

You only speak about yourself. You condemn Israel for ignoring recognition of its statehood by hamas in the same thought where you leave out the fact that Israel started dismantling its settlements. Bias.

What the friend from London was trying to say as that even if some Israeli policies are wrong, they are a modern democracy. Modern democracy is something that we should be promoting in the middle east and supporting Israel is a step in the right direction.

Stefan, College Station, Texas

Let just hope that France will be neutral and objective in regards to its politics vis a vis Israel. It is time that the pendulum switches from pro-arab anti-israel policies
( since De Gaulle) to postures more in line with the historical teachings of the Enlightment. Israel is not a perfect democracy but then again if you consider the neighbourhood ......

raul gero, miami, usa

Quote: It is certainly to be hoped. Mr. Sarko will at last align France with its natural friends -- other civilized, liberal democracies like Israel -- rather than with benighted medieval theocracies.
Francois, London, UK

It’s obvious he doesn’t get out much or watch the news.

The walls being built, the settlers taking over the land, and constant degradation of the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, have driven many a human to suicide, (often wearing special belts surrounded by innocents.) Israel must recognize that it is making the situation worse. Not long ago, Hamas a terrorist organization dedicated to destroying Israel and refusing to recognize that the Jewish state exists did the unthinkable, it cautiously announced that it will start to recognize Israel as a country. This is the equivalent of a Male chauvinist castrating himself and doing the housework. Israel ignored it.

Ed, Hamilton, New Zealand

Quote: Let us indeed hope that Mr. Sarko aligns France with the one state in the middle east which actually shares France's own core values.
Maynard, Oxford, UK

As for the second UK quote… he right. France and Israel do share values of throwing ethnic minorities into ghettos and slums until the humans in them explode in frustration and despair (The second Intifada, and the Banlieues riots 2005 which Sarko presided over as interior minister)

As for Sarko himself I trust him as far as I can throw him. And as a 55kg weakling that is not very far.

Ed, Hamilton, New Zealand

In answer to the headline - he'd better shuck a few of those ties, or he'll be deposed in four years for a leader in the Hamas. Also, he'll be better off welcoming the next Democratic President of the US (whoever it is) into the World Order. It'll be about time to get rid of that xenophobic Bush and his minions.

I'll be happy to dance on his figurative political grave when he is finally gone from politics, and his desire to extend the hold of the Latin American elitists onto the necks of the valiant peons of Mexico and the Central Americas.

Curt, Chula Vista, CA

Maynard, France has a secular constitution. Israel on the other hand is a Jewish state. This is, a clear difference in values. Anyway is it not the case that Israel only applies 'liberté, equalité and fraternité' to its own Jewish population. As opposed to the Palestinians who are unlucky enough to live under Israeli occupation in the West Bank, and whose lives are totally disrupted on the assumption they are all violent jihadists.

Deepan, Winchester, Hampshire

Watch for a peace deal with the European Union and Israel, because that's next.

Raziel , Chicago, Illinois

Sarko should reevaluate his Turkey policy if he is in favor of EU's being global power....

emrah sazak, malden, ma

It is certainly to be hoped. Mr. Sarko will at last align France with its natural friends -- other civilized, liberal democracies like Israel -- rather than with benighted medieval theocracies.

Francois, London, UK

Let us indeed hope that Mr. Sarko aligns France with the one state in the middle east which actually shares France's own core values.

Maynard, Oxford, UK

The first thing Mr Sarkozy needs to do is to get France out of the Euro-Arab Dialogue. This is front organistion for Islamic militants Their other job is shifting Europe into the Arab-Islamic sphere of influence. That is out of the Western sphere, amd trying tp isolate the E U from America. Naturally it is violently opposed to Isral.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Texas

Once a frenchy always a frenchy. Mediterranean Union. BAH! Don't forget to SURRENDER first!

Jason Thompson, Dead Center, USA