When it comes to international relations, France has always followed its own agenda. There's nothing wrong with that, but there are times when a "go it alone" policy can cause rancour among leaders and people of other nations. Never more so than when supposedly a part of a unified body endeavouring to present consensus of opinion.
Historically, France has often pursued an independent line, impervious to criticism and seemingly merely to demonstrate it is not one of the crowd playing follow-my-leader. This individualism comes especially to the fore if the US happens to be the leader, which French presidents, until now, have abhorred.
Now, President Nicolas Sarkozy has shown his rapid conversion to Americana by aligning himself with President George W. Bush and, to everyone's surprise, possibly joining Nato at the year end - a reversal of a 40-year ban introduced by De Gaulle objecting to US military dominance in Nato.