"We have had good disagreements on Iraq, in particular," Bush acknowledged about the frayed US-France partnership. "But I've never allowed disagreements to not find other ways to work together."
Sarkozy, visiting Bush for the first time as France's president, came with plenty of his own warm words. He focused on more than two centuries of united history between the countries, thanking the United States for sacrificing lives to help defend France in time of war.
"That is a lot more important than Mr. Sarkozy or Mr. Bush," he said. "Because after Mr. Bush and after Mr. Sarkozy, we'll continue to be friends of the Americans."
Outside the meeting, tourists, television crews and antiwar activists congregated at a checkpoint at Walker's Point.
As cars filled with visitors craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the Bush estate rolled by, activist Jamilla El-Shafei offered passengers a taste of "Iraqi freedom from occupation fries" from a red, oversize cardboard container.
Others among the 15 or so protesters offered fresh peaches which they dubbed "impeaches."
The effusiveness of the two leaders was intended to be a message to the world that diplomatic life is on the upswing for the United States and France. It comes in contrast to the bitter relationship with France's former president, Jacques Chirac, who clashed with Bush most notably over Iraq.
Sarkozy, too, acknowledged differences but downplayed them.
"Do we agree on everything? No," he said, an apparent reference to the divisive Iraq war. "Because maybe even within a family there are disagreements, but we are still a family. And we may be friends and not agree on everything, but we are friends."
Privately, Bush and Sarkozy met for about 50 minutes for what the American president called a "heart-to-heart" talk. The former president sat in on the session with them.
The topics included Iran, where Bush is seeking Sarkozy's aid in thwarting Iran's suspected pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Other world hot spots, Darfur and Lebanon among them, were probably discussed, but the White House refused to divulge details.
The French president was treated to a true day in the life of the Bush experience.
