Hosted by the US Embassy, a breakfast took place this morning at the Intercontinental Hotel, in Paris. Many prestigious guests and numerous international journalists were there to discuss the results of the election, announced a few hours ago.



American flags are to be seen all around in an atmosphere which remains formal. A large screen displays the hot news and the reactions of the Americans to Obama’s election as the guests took their places.


French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was the first official to share his feelings. He expressed his hope and his tremendous joy: “It was a great campaign. It is an incredible victory". About American foreign policy, he stated “(Obama) knows where Europe is. Dialogue is possible and the world is not just America. We’re betting on a real alliance” he explained. Bernard Kouchner also confessed that Barack Obama was the candidate that his heart had chosen.


But US Ambassador Craig R. Stapleton was not so enthusiastic. He had co-owned a baseball club with president George W. Bush, and has strong connections with the Bush family. This morning, he addressed some short congratulations to the president-to-be, Barack Obama. But he insisted: “More than anything else, it’s a victory for democracy”. He also stated that this electoral process secures peace and continuity for the country and highlighted that “this run for presidency will remain in history”. Saying that, he would leave his charge at the coming into office of Obama. “France and the United States should stay side by side in the economic and political challenges”, he emphasized.


French Secretary of State for Foreign affairs and Human rights Rama Yade, who is often described as a representative of the black minority in France, said that we should remember this election as a “symbolic part of history”. Visibly moved by the outcome of this election, she enjoined people to celebrate this victory before coming back to a more realistic basis. “A psychological revolution may happen but other steps should be taken first”, she stated, insisting more on the generational electro-choc than on the race one.

All morning long, politicians, journalists and businessmen discussed the impact of the election. They shared their interpretation of the vote, and none of them had the same. But they all had hope.
 
1) Interview with Mark A. Pekala, deputy chief of mission, embassy of the United States of America

2)   Interview with Ernest-Antoine Seillière, president of the federation of European enterprises, in Brussels

3)   Interview with Dominique de Villepin, former Prime Minister, former First Secretary at the French Embassy in Washington

“French people are concerned by this election because choosing Obama means choosing reconciliation. That choice will give pride to America, and that is what Americans want after the Bush period.”
4)   Interview with Jack Lang, former Minister of Culture, former Minister of Education

“We suffered too much when George Bush was president. He was involved in war, violence and injustice. During his campaign, Obama showed intelligence and moral strenght. He is serious, strong and clever.”

Maud Noyon and Marie Amélie Putallaz
(Credits: Marie Amélie/CFJ)