Sarkozy combative as France takes on European Union's rotating presidency for 6 months

PARIS (AP) - President Nicolas Sarkozy was in combative mood Monday as France assumed leadership of the European Union, criticizing the bloc's trade chief and warning Europe's central bank against raising interest rates. Some analysts have questioned whether Sarkozy's sometimes brash and often direct style will be suited to the task of building consensus among the EU's 27 member nations as France holds the rotating presidency for the next six months. The EU is facing formidable problems in high oil prices, the threat to overseas sales from the euro's strength against the U.S. dollar and uncertainty about the bloc's future after Ireland's voters rejected a reform treaty... [read full story]