But there is also the difference in sensitivity with regard to nuclear nonproliferation

For the second time since his inauguration, the US President visits the old Continent, where it has a rating of love almost unprecedented for a US President. In April, he had come for a Summit of the g-20 London entirely devoted to the global financial crisis and the NATO Summit. This time, the symbolic of a tour celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Allied landing is greater. Glamour of the scope of the very strong and perhaps historical speech he delivered yesterday in Cairo to destination in the Muslim world (see page 16), Barack Obama meeting today Angela Merkel in Dresden, the beautiful baroque centre was razed 75 in 1945 by Allied bombing, intense and controversial, that left 35,000 dead. The President wants to see the transformation of Germany to the East where grew the German Chancellor. But of course, this choice of Dresden, which symbolizes the German suffering, made grind a few teeth in the United States, the "think tank" American Heritage Foundation holding this decision "ill-advised".

Barack Obama will also visit the nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald, the release of which his great uncle Charlie Payne, eighty-four years, participated in 1945 as the 89th us infantry division soldier. Finally, he will visit in the US military hospital in Lanstuhl, where the GI wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq are treated. Tomorrow, he will meet his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in Caen before going with him on the beaches of Normandy landing, in the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach, where nearly 10,000 American soldiers are buried under the white cross facing to the sea. Canadian Premiers, Stephen Harper and British, Gordon Brown will participate in the ceremonies, as well as (after the diplomatic mini-incident linked to the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II), prince Charles.

The progress

Beyond the commemoration, Barack Obama which will continue with a brief private visit to Paris describe, in its bilateral talks with Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, key transatlantic issues of the moment. "Economic issues will dominate discussions, yesterday was Nancy Soderberg, former Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations and close to the Obama administration, and the record of the Afghanistan and Pakistan, and that of Iran. For the three heads of State, a first review of the commitments made at the Summit of the g-20 and the promise to inject 1,100 billions of additional dollars into the world economy through international institutions is a priority.

At first view, harmony between the French and American Presidents is total and the ice age between the two countries born of friction on the Iraq in 2003, forgotten. A few days ago, Barack Obama praised the "courage" of the French President, who "successfully stand very firm on the Afghanistan", on Canal and demonstrate "leadership qualities" supporting "attempt direct opening but without concession with the Iran". He paid tribute to the role of the France, "one of the most important countries of the world", be it climate change or economic recession.

And yet, differences abound, starting of course with the support of Obama to the Turkey accession to the European Union. But there is also the difference in sensitivity with regard to nuclear non-proliferation. And most importantly, even if Barack Obama boasts French cuisine and the Provence, the impression of a distance from the American President to old Europe, that it will have to try to dispel.