/europe
DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy has dodged an eccentric collection of anti-European protesters and opened talks designed to overcome Irish voters' rejection of the European Union reform treaty.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is traveling to Ireland in an effort to solve the crisis over the EU treaty.
Sarkozy, the reigning president of the European Council, shook hands Monday with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen on the steps of his central Dublin office.
Police have kept about 1,000 protesters representing dozens of groups from getting close to Sarkozy's motorcade. Among the demonstrators: a man in frog costume bearing the message "Hop it, Sarko! The people say no!"
Sarkozy had emphasized beforehand that he was visiting Dublin to listen and learn why 53 percent of Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty, a painstakingly negotiated blueprint for reshaping the EU's institutions and powers.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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