Sarkozy: Burqas no longer welcome in France

Interesting bit of news from France. The French president said in a speech yesterday that burqas, the head to toe black gown worn by some more devout Muslim women, is no longer welcome in France. Sarkozy stopped short of actually calling for the burqa to be outlawed, though France did outlaw head scarves in public (state) schools (and after a controversy erupted, they banned all "conspicuous signs" of religion). Sarkozy, interestingly, says he's opposed to the burqa not because of a fear of militant Islam, but rather because he says it oppresses women.

I'm always fascinated by the burqa. From a westerner's eye, it does seem awfully oppressive - imagine being covered, head to toe, in black in 120 degree heat. Is Sarkozy right, is this a women's rights issue? Is it about religious freedom? Are we judging other cultures where we have no right? Should a president be even commenting on this?