Chirac backs off criticism of Britain

[Tab]

French President Jacques Chirac toned down his criticism of Britain's role in the Iraq war as he arrived Thursday on a two-day visit celebrating the Entente Cordiale, an Anglo-French friendship treaty that has endured 100 years.

However, the French leader refused to back away from his analysis that the war to topple Saddam Hussein's regime, ardently supported by British Prime Minister Tony Blair but opposed in much of Europe, has increased terrorism and made the world less safe.

Chirac's visit took on added significance as Europe decides how it must deal with the United States now that President Bush has been re-elected and has promised to continue his tough foreign policy.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2027&ncid=2027&e=1&u=/chitribts/20041119/ts_chicagotrib/chiracbacksoffcriticismofbritain

[sniffa]

1. we shouLd send benjamin frankLin to paris

to hopefuLLy get france to aLLy w/ us.