Charlie Rose Science Series
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01/31/2007
Nicolas Sarkozy
A conversation with French Interior Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy
Keywords:
An hour long discussion with the Interior Minister of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. Sarkozy talks about his ongoing campaign for the French Presidency and his opponent, socialist candidate Segolene Royale. Sarkozy, the current front runner, discusses France's labor problems and his belief that the French people are ready to embrace significant reforms to their labor markets.
DVD
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Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Audio
Audio available through Audible.com.
Audio available through Audible.com.
Transcripts
Transcripts available through Voxant.
Transcripts available through Voxant.
This guy is such a jackass but he is representative of the provincial, petty French people. He has ruined his country and now the idiotic French regret having elected him but I am highly amused by the whole spectacle. As to the comments beneath me, most written by French people or ignorant uneducated Americans, I am appalled and yet reading your comments makes me understand why Anglo-Saxons detest the French and triumphed over them. American values are values that the French, with their pettiness, hypocrisy and double standards will never understand. As to Mr. Huang, your name is not even French. It is an Asian name, so I am really amused by your criticism of Muslims. How would you feel if you were told not to consume rice in France and not to use that odd Asian language of yours that sounds similar to the sounds insects make? And how about doing something about that yellow color of yours? It is not very French you know. The French are rather orange, not yellow. The fact of the matter is that French people go about the Arab, Muslim World begging for commerce and in many cases, lived in Arabic, Muslim countries for decades, even hundreds of years. I do not think they were forced to don the Arab dress, but many this is because Arabs are a civilized people. In America and Britain, Muslims are allowed to wear their veils and practice their religion because we understand that a veil is not a threat. If a woman wishes to cover her hair because her religion necessitates it, if doing so is a requisite to her piety, then so be it. How does a veil affect anyone but the bearer of it? The objection to Islamic dress is simply intolerance- it is racism, provincialism, backwardness manifest. The French, as has always been suspected in the Anglo-Saxon World, are a petty, uneducated, backward, swaggering people. But how would they feel if we Anglo-Saxons were to voice our concerns about them? Their awful smell, their questionable hygiene, their debauchery and pseudo-intellectualism? Many in the Anglo-Saxon World look down upon French people and feel that they are not easily assimilated. I personally feel that American ideals and values are desecrated by the French, who come to our land and bring their degeneracy, backwardness and provincialism with them. Again, I am glad this Sarkozy has proven an utterly brutish thug, something I knew from the first. Sad, however, is the inability for a Jew to appreciate plurality. His Eastern European ancestors would not have been welcome in France during another age, and had they migrated to Germany in the 40s, he might never have spawned. Not such a bad idea. I firmly believe the French are a provincial people whose country resembles a non-Western nation and I am sorry that my government has welcomed them and exposed us to possible contamination. I hope that they are ill-treated in the same manner they propose foreigners in their country be treated.
I feel for this guy, he is truly genuine in his convictions. Let us all give him a break and elect him a leader of some sort. He is healthy enough to stand the ups and downs of an election. This I think is an important milestone in the republic of France, to see his ego on the line is amazing. You should really watch it again, I know I will. But let us not forget the basics, people are people. They are working hard as much as anyone, so do not put him on a pedestal. He is just a guy who wants change from his point of view. And our union is better for it, if we know where everyone stands. I mean doesn't everyone know about the European Union. And what about their borders to our borders? Are they about the same thing? Am I stupid to think that he is really not a universal kind of a guy? So the universe is his, for now.
dear Philip Huang "I cannot support a President of France who would dictate the religion of its immigrants, or their headdress, or their family relationships." uhh isn't polygamy illegal in the US? and i do believe that in most states that if you want to get a drivers license you cannot have a burka on. Sarkosky is a little far right but if a European or American moved to Saudi Arabia do you think we could celebrait Chrismas there?
France is fortunte to have such an enlightened, intelligent, sensitive and charming head of state.
Seems like there are so many neocons on this show? Sarkozy, Kissinger, Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Condi Rice etc; etc;
I have visited France several times, just last month staying in Paris and Nice. From my experience, driving throughout France with my family, Mr. Sarkozy represents the real people of his country quite accurately. Our interactions were that of which many Americans do not ever get to know. The people of France look across the seas at our freedom to be... and want it deep inside. They have told me this first-hand. I have faith that if given the chance, he will lead France to embrace the values that create strong nations. I, as an American citizen, am honored to have visited France. I have always been treated with mutual-respect, and will hopefully meet Mr. Sarkozy one day. I believe that he is an incredibly brave man, leading a new France into a promising future. In my view, the French are a inherently good, peaceful people. As their government finally leads, the people will have the confidence to work, grow, and prosper in a world marketplace. Thank You Charlie; Thank You, Nicolas! Sincerely, Michael - from "The Streets of Philadelphia" Pennslvnia.
I donâ??t know for the Us but polygamy is not legally recognised in Canada. It does not prevent people from living with multiple women or multiple men, this is their bedroom and their business, but the status is not recognised legally. In Canada women are not obliged by law to dress as their brother wants and are not obliged by law to marry the one their parents wants. I would think it is the same in the US. We also expect that peoples who immigrate in Canada adopt our basic values stated in the charter of rights and our laws. I do not share all what Sarkozy says but what he is speaking about here is that he refuses to apply the Sharia law to France or even to segments of the French society, whatever their origin. He does not say that he wants to force every to adopt his religion. On the contrary he says that he does not want the French to be forced to adopt the Muslim religion and the moral precepts of the Muslim religion. He does not want Islam as the religion of France, the same way the French revolutionaries did not want Catholicism as the religion of France but opted for a laique society (religion is private matter not t be imposed on others). Sarkozy is not fighting the Muslims but those among the Muslims who would want to impose Islam in France and in Europe. I disagree with Sarkozy that repression is the best way to do that and I disagree with the kind of parallel he tend to make between the religion question and the immigration question. Those are two distinct questions, generally speaking. It is the Islamic propaganda which assimilate the two push their jihadist agenda, but it is an error to fall into their rhetoric and validate their argument that Islam is oppressed.
As an American who believes in free speech and freedom of religion, I cannot support a President of France who would dictate the religion of its immigrants, or their headdress, or their family relationships. None of this racially-tinged rhetoric would be acceptable in US, Canada, Britain, or Germany. The French should not accept as national policy. "That's my first comment. Now, as regards the measures. Well, most of the Muslims in France love France, and have values that are compatible with those of the Republic. But what I say is that I do not want Islam in France. I want an Islam of France, and that's not the same thing at all. In other words, Is- lam that respects the values of France. Let me give you an example. If you want to come to France, if someone wants to come to France, then I expect people to respect and love France. If you don't, then you've no reason to be here. If you come to France, then you have to accept we don't have polygamy, because polygamy means you're not respecting the values of France. If you come to France and you want to push your daughter in- to a fourth marriage, then you're not welcome here in France. If you come and the older brothers prevent the younger sisters from dressing as they want, you're not welcome. If you come to France and you wear a veil, if you go to one of the administrative buildings, then that's not acceptable. If you don't want your wife to be examined by a male doctor, then you're not welcome here. France is a country that's open."
I am American/French born & i really enjoy watching "the Charlie Rose show". Thank you for inviting the world to your table. You are an amazing person & citizen of the world. I wanted to say that i was happy when i saw in the news that Nicholas Sarkozy had won the elections. France needs him to move forward!. Thank you, Charlie! Anne Suire ( San Francisco)
Hi, Love the show. Purely technical: could you please lower the French volume further when dubbed in English because it is very distracting for those of us who understand the language and are trying to listen to the interpreter and can't help but hear the guest at the same time. Thank you, Ryan
The economic and social problems addressed by Sarkozy a very real. My wife and many others from France see him as the only solution. I truly hope the French size this opportunity for change.
"I want the best for my country," Sarkosy said. When was the last time we heard an American president or presidential candidate say that? It's often the simple, yet passionate things that remain unnoticed and undervalued. Viva la France!
If only we had a presidential candidate in the US who understood so well what makes this a great country... I hope this man wins.
Nicolas Sarkozy speaks clearly, unambiguosly, and to the point. I remember this conversation, which took place 1/31/07, and I was impressed. Best regards to Nicolas Sarkozy.