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Blair-Chirac differences on Iraq persist

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON NOV 25. Diplomacy may not be a child's play but the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair's three-year-old son, Leo, provided a welcome distraction as his father and the visiting French President, Jacques Chirac, struggled to resolve their differences over Iraq and a host of European issues during a day-long `summit' here on Monday.

Aware of Mr. Chirac's soft spot for Leo, whom one newspaper dubbed Britain's "secret weapon with the French," Mr. Blair presented his guest with a signed photograph of the child bearing the words, "To Jacques from Leo." Later, brimming with his famous Gallic charm, the French leader flourished it at a joint press conference saying: "That was a very, very friendly gesture that I appreciated fully."

But the `new' mood did not last long as the two leaders gave vent to their disagreements, particularly over Iraq. Mr. Chirac insisted on early transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people and greater U.N. involvement in running the country in the meantime.

"The situation is not easy in Iraq. I think the new policy direction that our American friends seem to be taking, transferring responsibility and sovereignty to the Iraqi people, is the right way to go. But to be frank, it is extending for somewhat too long a period.

It seems to me somewhat an incomplete policy because.... the role of the U.N....is not clearly specified as it should be," he said indicating continuing differences with the Anglo-U.S. approach. Commentators noted that despite the attempt by the two leaders to appear friendly the strains in their relations showed, and the final communiqué was vague on controversial issues such as a separate European Union defence force which is being pushed aggressively by France and Germany with Britain taking a more cautious line in view of the U.S. opposition to it. Ironically, within hours of the summit, the British Government hardened its position on the contentious European constitution indicating for the first time that it might go to the extent of blocking it if there was no agreement on tax, defence and social security.

Britain fears that the proposals would undermine national sovereignty of member-states and Mr. Blair indicated that there was no room for compromise. "Our position is set out clearly. I am sure we will work closely together to try and make this thing work," he said amid growing pessimism ahead of next month's crucial talks on the new Constitution.

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