| Bush calls french chirac good cowboy Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3050805http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3050805
Feb. 22, 2005, 1:01AM
Bush suggests Chirac 'good cowboy' By BENNETT ROTH Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - Though President Bush has sought to improve his tempestuous relationship with French President Jacques Chirac, he hedged Monday on whether he was ready to chow down with the urbane French leader at his Texas ranch.
"I'm looking for a good cowboy," Bush quipped when he was asked by a French reporter if U.S.-French relations have reached the point where the president would invite Chirac to his Crawford spread.
During his first term, Bush excluded Chirac from a ranch invitation list that has included such world leaders as British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Chirac was among the European leaders who refused to support Bush's policies on Iraq and to send troops there.
The White House and the French have been discussing a Chirac visit to the United States, a senior administration official said, with the location to be determined.
As part of their effort at détente Monday, Bush and Chirac dined together at the U.S. ambassador's residence here, discussing issues such as Iraq and the Middle East over a menu of lobster risotto with truffle sauce and filet of beef with Bordelaise sauce, a decidedly French touch.
Before they sat down to eat, Chirac said that U.S.-French relations have been ''excellent for over 200 years now." Chirac added, ''Of course we have our differences, our divergences of opinion."
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