WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is the third and final section of
the White House transcript of the remarks of President Obama and French
President Sarkozy late Tuesday:

PRESIDENT SARKOZY: Well, Ive read many comments — and I must say
Ive been quite amused — on the relations between European leaders and
the President of the United States. I say Im amused because Ive
thought to myself, well, when we speak to one another, people must be
listening to our phone calls because I have seen reports on
conversations and discussions which in no way resemble anything that has
ever taken place between Barack Obama and myself.

Now, why is it easy for us to work? And I speak on behalf of
Chancellor Merkel, Gordon Brown, and other leaders. Well, because
President Obama, when he says something, keeps his word. His word is
his bond. And that is so important. Theres a joke among us — we
dont like surprises. Well, from my point of view, theres no
surprises. When he can, he delivers. When he cant, he says so. So
there are no surprises. And we try to be likewise.

Furthermore, secondly, on all topics — and there have been some
pretty tough topics. I mean, for instance, bonus — taxes on bonuses,
regulation, financial regulations — pretty heavy going stuff —
Copenhagen. I mean, I happen to think that President Obama is a step
ahead of public opinion in the United States on this. But were
constantly talking about it. Its even President Obama who wanted us to
have a call conference, a videoconference virtually every month with
Angela Merkel and Gordon Brown.

Now, this doesnt really mean that we absolutely agree neck and
neck on everything, but we talk amongst ourselves. And this is a
novelty from the point of view of Europe whenever we look at the United
States that everything is put on the table, anything can be discussed,
everything can be discussed.

What matters, you see, is not whether we agree once systematically
before weve even started discussing — thats suspicious — its to say
whatever divergence of views we have, we can talk about it among
ourselves. And I say things very frankly to you, and this is what all
we European leaders believe and think.

Ive also heard it said that Europe was less interested in the
United States. Well, for heavens sake, how many times do we have to
come over to show that we are interested? What would it mean if we were
interested?

So, very frankly and very honestly on this, not only is it not an
issue, not a problem, but its great to be able to work under such
conditions. I would say that what I have to say about President Obama
is the same as what Bernard Kouchner could say about Hillary Clinton, or
Christine Lagarde about Tim Geithner. Were constantly having a
dialogue.

I could even take you — give you an example of something on which
we dont necessarily agree, such as Syria — or we didnt agree. France
took an initiative, as you know. Well, Ill say this to you: At no
point, no point, has President Obama turned his back on what we were
doing. Constantly hes watching, hes listening. Were constantly
exchanging information on the subject. Even when there are more complex
topics, including in our relations with the Russians, before even we
inform our Russian — the Russians or our partners, I pick up the phone,
I call President Obama, and he knows exactly what were going to do and
why were going to do it. You follow me on that?

So, there may be disagreements, but never for the wrong reasons.
And as we are very transparent on both sides, theres confidence,
theres trust. And I really think I can say that. Theres a lot of
trust.

Now, trust always helps one overcome perhaps diverging interests.
It may be that the United States of America has slightly different
interests of those of France, but the bedrock of trust between us is
something that he also has with all European leaders. And I dont say
this to please you. I said this is true. And I took two examples of
two topics that could, in other tide, other times, have led to head-on
collision, and which in this case, on the contrary, are looked at on
both sides of the Atlantic as a situation where we are complementary.

Perhaps he said, well, maybe on Syria, France is on the right
track, and maybe one day well have the opportunity to do likewise, and
thats exactly the way we work.

Go ahead, Im not the one with the mic.

Q (As translated.) Since youve just talked about the United —
the relations between Europe and United States, didnt you get a bad
surprise, a nasty surprise, on the Pentagons decision on the tanker
planes, which reversed the decision which had originally been taken in
favor of Airbus? Did you raise this subject with President Obama? And
if so, did you try and put together a new approach so as to ensure that
the competition would be fairer, new version of this contract with the
Pentagon, and dont you think that it would be probably fair to share
this contract with the Europeans, since they are now full members of
NATO and that they share the price of the war on the ground?

PRESIDENT SARKOZY: If I said I hadn’t raised it, it would mean
that what I’ve just told you would be meaningless and senseless. Of
course weve talked about it — and President Obama will give you his
answer. But I said to him, I trust you. And I do trust him. If you say
to me that the request for proposals, the call for tenders will be free,
fair and transparent, then we say EADS will bid and we trust you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: What I said to President Sarkozy is, is that the
process will be free and fair, and that the trust is justified.

And it’s important to note, I think, for those of you who don’t
know Secretary Gates, this is somebody who has actually taken on the
military and weapons systems establishment and initiated some very
significant procurement reforms that nobody ever thought would happen
here in Washington. So hes somebody whos willing to call it like it
is and make difficult decisions, and he will do so in this situation as
well.

Thank you very much, everybody.

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** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **

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