French Presidential Hopeful Lauds N.Y.

French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, left, shakes hands with New York police Commissioner Ray Kelly at a ceremony honoring Kelly with the "Legion of Honor", one of France's most prestigious distinctions, at the French Consulate in New York, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006. (AP Photo/David Karp) (David Karp - AP)

NEW YORK -- French Interior Minister and presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute Saturday to New York City's police and residents for their bravery on Sept. 11, 2001, two days ahead of the anniversary of the attacks.

Sarkozy, who is expected to be the ruling conservative party's candidate for president in spring elections, was visiting New York to give city Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly the Legion of Honor, France's highest award.

Speaking at the award ceremony at the French consulate, Sarkozy tried to play down the well-publicized tensions between France and the United States over the war in Iraq.

"Let me extend you the strictest of confidences: in France, it's not just me who loves Americans," he said.

"Today I want to speak with my heart because that is the only way to speak when it's September in New York," he added, speaking French. When New York was attacked, he said "it was if we were all attacked."

During his remarks, Sarkozy pledged the French would stay the course with the Americans in the war on terror because the two countries share common values.

"I want you to know that in this fight, the French are your friends, and the French are at your side," he said.

Some opponents at home have criticized Sarkozy for being too friendly with the United States _ whose war in Iraq is immensely unpopular in France.

In an interview with the newspaper Le Monde before his trip, Sarkozy said the anti-American Frenchman was an outdated stereotype promoted "by a small French elite that is disconnected from reality."

Sarkozy has borrowed many ideas from American politics. He is an avid capitalist, he favors affirmative action, and his "zero tolerance" policy about crime mimics that of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. These positions make him one of the most divisive figures in French politics.

Kelly accepted the medal, which Sarkozy said was for all New Yorkers, in a small ceremony. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor David Dinkins and French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte were present.

Sarkozy drew laughs from the crowd when he coyly said if he were to one day rise to another post _ "one never knows," _ he would be happy to work with the commissioner.

Sarkozy treated the commissioner like an old friend, joking with him before and after the ceremony and placing an arm on his shoulder.

While his affection for the U.S. was on display at the ceremony, Sarkozy had told Le Monde he does not have unreserved admiration for the country. He said he felt U.S. welfare programs "do not permit millions of people to live decently."

He also said he did not like Americans' "lack of interest in world affairs" adding by comparison that "every French person seems like a specialist in foreign politics."

During his U.S. visit, Sarkozy was expected to discuss counterterrorism efforts with officials including Kelly and U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley. He planned to give another medal to the New York City Fire Department on Sunday. He also was to meet Monday with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.