Last update - 00:00 11/03/2008
French, Israeli presidents see eye to eye on Iran
By Adar Primor
Nicolas Sarkozy kept his promise: Israeli President Shimon Peres yesterday became the first foreign leader to be received officially in Paris since the French president entered office.
After announcing that he would never compromise on Israel's security, that he would prevent the establishment of Hamastan in the Gaza Strip, and that Israel was the most meaningful event of the 20th century, Sarkozy decided to show that he was as good as his word.
"It is a great honor for me to greet you here," Sarkozy said − both as Israel's president and, even more, "as Shimon Peres. I view you as a symbol."
Sarkozy apologized jokingly for the "very indiscreet" reception and said there was not a single citizen who did not know that "Israel had arrived in France" yesterday.
Peres was received in an official ceremony by French Interior Minister Michelle Alliot-Marie. The two stood in the freezing cold on a soaking wet red carpet, listening to the two national anthems played by the French Honor Guard. From there, Peres was flown in a military airplane to the Place des Invalides, where another ceremony was held. Then, accompanied by a convoy of motorbikes and dozens of mounted Republican Guards, he went to the French government?s official guest house, Hotel de Marigny.
The hugs Peres exchanged with Sarkozy an hour later in the Elysee Palace and both men?s body language disclosed a real love story. The two, journalists were told, saw eye to eye on all the issues they discussed.
Peres?s military secretary, Shimon Hefetz, told Haaretz before the meeting that he had brought documents and aerial photographs relating to Iran?s nuclear program and its assistance to Hezbollah and Hamas. But Peres said after the meeting that these papers were not even needed, as Sarkozy had been briefed in detail.
Sarkozy also sees the combination of Iran?s support for terrorism and its uranium enrichment as potentially deadly. He promised to fight against Iran?s nuclearization and urged continuing to impose sanctions on Tehran.
Speaking about the struggle against anti-Semitism, Sarkozy said that when he served as interior minister, he sent people who burned Israeli flags to prison. He saw even one can of paint sprayed on the walls of Israel's embassy as a serious problem, he added. At that time, many thought that setting a synagogue on fire was the same as burning a library. He fought against this "scandalous approach" with all his might, he said.
Sarkozy noted that he was often accused of being a friend of America and Israel − and he pleads guilty. France, he said, is a true friend of Israel's and always will be. "Israel's right to exist safely is undebatable," he said.
Sarkozy said that following the Holocaust, the world has a special responsibility to Israel's existence. "To the best of my memory, those who wished to destroy the Jews were Europeans, not Arabs," he added.
Speaking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Sarkozy expressed complete agreement with Israel's fight against terror. But in a barb at Israel, he said that despite its justified policy, it fails to convey its messages in the best possible way.
He also said that Israel must understand that it must take risks for peace. "Taking risks is less dangerous than not doing anything," he said.
The solution, he added, is two states, Israeli and Palestinian, living side by side.
Peres gave the French president a gift - a Bonsai olive tree - as a symbol of the hundreds of olive trees planted in Sarkozy's honor in Mikveh Yisrael, where an Israeli-French high school was recently built. He also complimented Sarkozy, telling him that although he was older and had seen many leaders, the French president's spirit was extraordinary.
Peres voiced full support in his French colleague's proposed "Mediterranean Union" and tied this to projects of his, such as "Peace Valley" and the proposed Dead Sea-Red Sea Canal.
Sarkozy responded that he would like the canal to become "France's and Europe's flagship" and instructed his staff to study the issue. He also promised to convene donor states to the Palestinian Authority to enlist them in these projects.
The two also discussed the three abducted Israeli soldiers. Sarkozy said he brings this issue up at every opportunity and would continue with these efforts.
In a news conference after their meeting, Peres was asked about a plan by Arab organizations to boycott a Paris book fair to be held at the end of the week, to which Israel has been invited as the guest of honor.
"Books are supposed to bridge gaps," Peres said. "I don't know how many books have been translated from Arabic to French, but I'm proud that during Israel's 60 years, 2,500 books have been translated from French to Hebrew and 1,000 books from Hebrew to French. Anyone who decides to boycott is ultimately punishing only himself."