Byline: Beth Day Romulo

FOR the past quarter of a century, or more, French foreign policy has appeared to be pro-Arab, anti American, with France viewing itself as a balance between Russia and America. The US/French relation became especially frosty when former president Jacques Chirac

vociferously opposed the Iraq War. Now we have a new president, Nicolas Sarkozy who promised, from the beginning of his campaign, that he intended to shake up both the economy and foreign policy of France, and set it on the road to a position of leadership in Europe. One of his oft-stated aims was better relations with the United States. "I never understood why we had to fight with the United States,'' he told one reporter. "I just didn't get it.''

Neither does his surprising choice for foreign minister, the co-founder of Medicins sans Frontiere, the humanitarian Socialist Bernard Kouchner. Nor his Minister of Finance Christine Lagarde who worked six years in Chicago as chairman of Baker and McKenzie law firm and imbibed and embraced the American work ethic, which she would like to see revolutionize the privileged and relatively static French work force. When President Sarkozy made his recent official trip to Washington he brought along his finance minister and other members of his Cabinet - which is a diverse mix of Socialists and Gaullists, men and women. As to France's relation with America, Sarkozy said his mission was to "reconquer the heart of America.'' He made clear that friends don't have to agree, although he and President Bush do agree that a nuclear-armed Iran is "unacceptable'' and the issue should be solved diplomatically.

When he spoke before the US Congress President Sarkozy, the son of immigrant himself, described what he so admires about America: Its dynamism, its social fluidity, the fact that people can aspire to any heights, regardless of their background. His speech was interrupted by a dozen standing ovations. It's a relief for Americans to hear someone extolling its virtues, in this period of widespread anti-Americanism. President Bush declared, in their joint press conference, "I have a partner in peace, somebody who has clear vision, who is willing to take tough positions.''

Sarkozy and his foreign minister Bernard Kouchner present a fresh face to French diplomacy. Impatient, pragmatic men of action, they are not constrained by the niceties or formality of old fashioned diplomacy, but tend, rather to speak their minds, sometimes bluntly. Kouchner made clear that he believes along with his president, that France needs to build new ties, in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the United States. "We are working with the Americans, not against them.''

When questioned about the American presidential race, Sarkozy said "regardless of who is president - male or female - we will work hand in hand together.'' Although France was opposed to the war in Iraq, they did sent troops to Afghanistan, which he said would remain as long as they are needed.

Before leaving Washington, Sarkozy awarded the French Legion of Honor to seven World War II veterans including Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii who lost an arm leading an attack in Italy in 1945. He spoke repeatedly of France's debt to American soldiers in both world wars in his speeches, to Congress and business leaders. That he had also chosen to spend his vacation in New Hampshire in the United States rather than Europe this past summer underscored his declarations of friendship for the United States.