John
06-18-2010, 07:37 AM
President Sarkozy is visiting London today to celebrate the 70th anniversary of de Gaulle's appeal to the French to resist the German occupation during World War Two.
Mr Sarkozy was the first foreign leader to be invited on an official visit to Britain by David Cameron when he became Prime Minister last month.
The French president will be accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
On June 18 1940, as the French government prepared to sign an armistice with the Nazis, General Charles de Gaulle broadcast on the BBC to France.
He called on French citizens to continue the war against Germany and appealed to all troops to rally under his command in London.
"The flame of French Resistance must not and will not be extinguished," he said.
Mr Cameron said: "The importance of General de Gaulle's words has not been dimmed by history.
"It was a call for freedom; a call to fight tyranny; a call that inspired countless acts of bravery.
"Today we honour and remember the courage of all those who fought for the cause of freedom.
"And today we celebrate the relationship between France and Britain.
"At a time of enormous international challenges, the President's visit underlines the importance of those bonds.
"Just as our two great countries stood by each other in the past, so we stand shoulder to shoulder today."
Mr Sarkozy was the first foreign leader to be invited on an official visit to Britain by David Cameron when he became Prime Minister last month.
The French president will be accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
On June 18 1940, as the French government prepared to sign an armistice with the Nazis, General Charles de Gaulle broadcast on the BBC to France.
He called on French citizens to continue the war against Germany and appealed to all troops to rally under his command in London.
"The flame of French Resistance must not and will not be extinguished," he said.
Mr Cameron said: "The importance of General de Gaulle's words has not been dimmed by history.
"It was a call for freedom; a call to fight tyranny; a call that inspired countless acts of bravery.
"Today we honour and remember the courage of all those who fought for the cause of freedom.
"And today we celebrate the relationship between France and Britain.
"At a time of enormous international challenges, the President's visit underlines the importance of those bonds.
"Just as our two great countries stood by each other in the past, so we stand shoulder to shoulder today."