During the meeting with France’s President Nicholas Sarkozy on March 21, presidential candidate Sen. McCain discussed about the issue of China and Tibet, a nuclear-armed Iran and the relationship between France and the United States.

 Regarding China, McCain declared the country’s crackdown in Tibet “not acceptable” and expressed his hope that the crisis would be solved by the Chinese government through a peaceful solution.

“The people there are being subjected to mistreatment that is not acceptable with the conduct of a world power, which China is,” McCain said, according to The Associated Press.

“There must be respect for human rights, and I would hope that the Chinese are actively seeking a peaceful resolution to this situation that exists which harms not only the human rights of the people there but also the image of China in the world.”

The White House has showed sympathy for Tibet and has asked China to show more respect and tolerance towards the Tibetan culture.

As the issue of Iran’s nuclear arsenal occured in the two political men’s discussion, McCain said France could play an important role over international sanction to deter Iran from developing nuclear weapons. McCain and his two fellow senators, Joseph Lieberman and Lindsay Graham, thanked France for sending more troops to Afghanistan.

While the French troops are currently confined to the area around Kabul, mostly involved in training Afghan soldiers, France is planning to announce at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Bucharest, on 2-4 April, that it will send new troops to areas where other NATO forces are fighting the Taliban.

“We thanked him for the participation of brave citizens of this country in the fight against the Taliban,” McCain said, after the meeting. “We are grateful.”

Following the meeting at the Elysee Palace on Friday, McCain spoke of the French president Sarkozy in terms of high praise. He said he geatly appreciated Sarkozy’s actions concerning Iran and his role in improving the relationship between France and the United States. He was actually so delighted about Mr. Sarkozy’s energy and openness that he declared he was convinced that the ties between the two countries would continually improve no matter who became president of the United States.

“I think relations with France will continue to improve no matter who is president of the United States because this president is committed to greater cooperation and values our friendship,” he said.