France Snaps at British Jibes, Clarifies Help Offer
Wed March 19, 2003 09:53 AM ET
PARIS (Reuters) - France denounced British attacks on its Iraq policy on Wednesday as Paris sought to pick up the pieces after defying heavy pressure from Washington and London to support the looming war against Baghdad.
Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin pronounced himself "shocked and saddened" at seeing France berated for threatening to veto any pro-war resolution at the United Nations and said such attacks were beneath a friend and European partner.
His protest call to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw came as Paris had to clarify remarks by its ambassador in Washington that gave the false impression that France would join the fight in Iraq if Baghdad used chemical or biological weapons. (...)