French candidate accuses opponent of apologizing to Bush for France's Iraq war policy

[G_j]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/27/world/europe/27paris.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

April 27, 2007

Royal Accuses Rival of Apology to Bush on Iraq; Sarkozy Denies It
By ARIANE BERNARD

PARIS, April 26 — Ségolène Royal, the Socialist candidate in the French presidential election on May 6, accused Nicolas Sarkozy, her conservative opponent, on Wednesday of having "apologized” to President Bush for France’s decision not to back the United States militarily in Iraq.

Mr. Sarkozy’s campaign team called her words “lies.”

“I am not for a Europe that aligns with the U.S.,” Ms. Royal said on France 2 television. “I have never been, and will never, go apologize to President Bush for the position of France on the issue of refusing to send our troops to Iraq.”

The interviewer noted that Mr. Sarkozy’s official position was that he had supported President Jacques Chirac’s opposition to the war and to French participation in military operations in Iraq.

“Yes, well, listen,” Ms. Royal responded. “He still did this.”

Mr. Sarkozy’s team issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday morning, repeating his position that the war in Iraq was a mistake and that he backed Mr. Chirac’s decision to refuse to send French troops.
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