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France salutes 'essential role' of US in Haiti

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-19 19:29

PARIS: President Nicolas Sarkozy is praising the "essential role" the United States is playing in helping earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Special coverage:  Haiti Earthquake Special Coverage Related readings:  France asks UN to specify US role in Haiti relief efforts  Farewell to Chinese peacekeeping police officers killed in Haiti  More US troops, UN peacekeepers expected for Haiti  UN to rally more peacekeepers for Haiti

The glowing statement Tuesday by Sarkozy's office comes after France's cooperation minister grumbled about what he suggested was the United States' overbearing posture in Haiti.

The US controls the congested Port-au-Prince airport and last week delayed the landing of a French plane carrying a field hospital.

On Monday, Cooperation Minister Alain Joyandet asked the United Nations to clarify the Americans' role, saying, "This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti."

The French presidential statement said authorities "salute the exceptional mobilization" of the US in Haiti and the "essential role it is playing on the ground."

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