Today's Date:

Address by Mr Laurent Delahousse, Senior Counselor to the Embassy of France in the United States.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
Chers Amis d’Amérique et de France,

Jean Aimont, André Allard, Nicolas Angevaise, Franz Lutzenberger, Nikolaus Muller… Those are but a few of the men from France and Germany, with others from Poland or Hungary, who fought and died here for the freedom of America.

For these men, and for the aristocratic officers who led them, the American adventure was certainly a welcome occasion to fight the British, but it was also paving the way for the great fight against oppression, for democracy and the rule of the people, by the people, for the people.

I am proud, as a Frenchman, that my country chose to fight for the creation of yours, inventing modern democracy, years before the French Revolution.

"La fraternité des armes", the comradeship created in the blood and suffering of battle has remained a cornestone of the friendship between our two countries.

Not once but twice did America cross the Atlantic to save France and then lead and defend the Free World.

This year, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Lafayette’s birth and the 200th anniversary of Rochambeau’s death, we also like to think of a renewed friendship.

Today we are engaged together in many parts of the world. Our troops fight alongside in Afghanistan and maintain peace in Kosovo.

We strive for the peace and unity of Lebanon and are engaged in resolute diplomatic efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation in Iran. France is one of America’s main allies in the fight against terrorism.

And my country believes that a great nation like the United States has a duty to take the lead in the effort against global warming, because the fate of mankind depends on them.

Indeed, our common history has led us to believe that we have a responsibility in world affairs. Our common values and many shared interests instruct us to react to the plight of the people of Darfur, to answer the calls for freedom of the beaten up monks in Myanmar, to support the voices of peace in the Near East.

There have been, and there will be in the future, instances where our values may be tested or our interests opposed. On the war in Iraq, on the death penalty, on the Kyoto Protocol, France has always and will define its positions based on its interest and its analysis. When they differ from America’s, we will compare, discuss, evaluate, in the spirit of friendship.

Today, I have the pleasure to announce, as the White House just did, that President Nicolas Sarkozy will visit America next month, on November 6 and 7. He will meet with President Bush and address a joint session of both houses of Congress. No doubt will his message to the American people be inspired by the event and the heroes we are celebrating today.

Benoît Bouillot, Jacques Chatillon, Yves David, François Marival… We thank you for your sacrifice.

God Bless America.

Vive la France