Sarkozy salutes brilliant victory
Obama win gives hope to France and Europe writes president in letter to Democrat victor.
PRESIDENT Nicolas Sarkozy congratulated Barack Obama on Wednesday on his "brilliant victory" in the US presidential election.
"I give you my warmest congratulations and, through me, those of all French people," Sarkozy told the Democratic candidate in a letter made public by the French presidency.
"Your brilliant victory rewards a tireless commitment to serve the American people. It also crowns an exceptional campaign whose inspiration and exaltation have proved to the entire world the vitality of American democracy."
"By choosing you, the American people have chosen change, openness and optimism," Sarkozy wrote.
"At a time when all of us must face huge challenges together, your election raises great hope in France, in Europe and elsewhere in the world."
During a visit by Obama while campaigning in July, Sarkozy implied support for the Democratic candidate.
“If it’s him, France will be very happy. If it’s someone else, France will be an ally of the United States,” he said.
Unlike Obama’s Berlin rally which attracted a crowd of 200,000, his visit to France was a low key affair to avoid upsetting US voters.
The two men met for the first time in 2006 in Washington.
Photo:BohPhoto
