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Chirac salutes Blair
Coffee and food warning - you might feel the urge to vomit...Jacques Chirac has pledged his "loyal friendship" to Tony Blair in a birthday greeting accompanying a gift of vintage wine. President Chirac used the Prime Minister's 50th birthday as a chance to build bridges after the Anglo-French divisions caused by the Iraq war. The gift which arrived from Paris - six bottles of Chateau Mouton Rothschild and a crystal decanter - contained a note which amounted to more than just the polite pleasantries between world leaders. It was written in the very personal "tu" form of the French language instead of the formal "vous", offering "very warm wishes" and expressing the "personal estime" of the French President. The full message said: "Dear Tony, Knowing how much you love visiting France, it is my pleasure to offer you a present illustrating the quality of the land of our country, which you know so well. I am sending you my very warm wishes for happiness, health and success, and for your family. I add the expression of personal estime and my loyal friendship. Looking forward to seeing you in Evian (at the G8 summit in France next month)." Posted by: Bulldog 2003-05-06 |
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