Apologetic Chirac writes to Queen to heal rift with Britain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jacques Chirac sought to repair France's strained relations with Britain yesterday.
The French President, who led the opposition to a United Nations resolution endorsing military action in Iraq, sent a letter to the Queen apologising for the desecration of a British First World War cemetery in northern France. He wrote: "The United Kingdom and France are two great countries and two great peoples, bound together by history and common values. I can tell you that at the moment when your soldiers are engaged in combat, the thoughts of the French are naturally turning towards them."
The rapprochement was welcomed last night by Tony Blair, who has been trying to rebuild bridges with France and Germany by backing their calls for the UN to be involved in any post-war settlement.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "We unreservedly welcome both the content and sentiment of President Chirac's letter and the sentiment towards our troops."
Vandals, believed to be from the French far-right, painted anti-war slogans and insults about Mr Blair and George Bush at the cemetery at Etaples, near Calais, which contains the remains of 11,000 soldiers. Yesterday, after the graffiti was removed, the French minister for war veterans, accompanied by the British consul general in Lille, placed a wreath there.
In his letter, M. Chirac told the Queen: "I was appalled and deeply shocked to learn of the desecration of the cemetery. This defacement is unacceptable and shameful, and has aroused the unanimous reprobation of the French.
"France knows what she owes to the tremendous devotion and courage of the British soldiers who came to help her regain her freedom in the fight against barbarity."
In another sign that tensions in Europe are easing, Joschka Fischer, the German Foreign Minister, said for the first time that Germany wanted to see Saddam Hussein's regime overthrown.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the French Prime Minister, said last night that the United States was wrong in going to war against Iraq, morally, politically and strategically.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments