Sarkozy stirs French burka debate

Since this was the first time in almost one and a half centuries that a French president had been allowed to address parliament, President Nicolas Sarkozy's speech was already on course to ruffle a few feathers. The Greens and Communists refused to attend and the Socialists left early, claiming the venue for the address - the Chateau of Versailles, which was home to King Louis XIV - smacked of monarchy and a thirst for power.But it was the French leader's attack on the burka that really caused a stir. He expressed his strong distaste for the head-to-toe Islamic veil, calling it not a sign of religion but a sign of subservience.