http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/12/news/sarko.php

"You must have loathed us then" he said in a speech referring to France's refusal to give UN sanction to the Iraq invasion, let alone offer military support.

The article then goes on to subtly criticise Royal for visiting EU capitols, failing to mention that EU treaties bind France more closely with its EU allies with whom it shares a parliament .

Hard to take Sarkozy at his word.  Here he travels to the U.S. on government funds, arranges a surprise meeting with Bush and upstages his political patron, expressing contrition for France, if not an outright apology.  Perhaps he was more apologetic in private.

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