International

French vote may affect U.K. move

Hasan Suroor

Britain may be forced to put on hold referendum on European Union Constitution

FOR THE UNION: Youths cheer and hold posters that read "Yes for France" in reference to the upcoming referendum on the E.U. Constitution during a public meeting in Marseilles on Tuesday. — PHOTO: AP

LONDON: Britain could abandon plans for a referendum on the controversial European Union constitution if the French say "no'' in their referendum on May 29.

In the first official comment on whether the French vote could affect the British Government's plans to hold a referendum next year, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw admitted that a "no'' by French voters was likely to cause a "problem'' which would have be considered by the European Union.

Growing opposition

"There is a formal mechanism for that to be considered if a number of countries vote `no','' Mr. Straw said as opinion polls indicated growing opposition to the constitution in France barely a week before the referendum.

Downing Street confirmed that the outcome of the referendums in France and the Netherlands would "influence the context in which other countries debate the matter''.

Though the official line was that what Mr. Straw had said was a "statement of the obvious'', his remarks were seen to be at odds with the Minister for Europe Douglas Alexander's statement in the Commons that Britain would go ahead with a referendum irrespective of how other countries voted.

"It doesn't matter what other countries do, we will have a vote on the constitution,'' he said.

The Straw line

Within hours, Mr. Douglas was forced to toe the "Straw line''. In a BBC interview, he said Mr. Straw was "perfectly right to acknowledge the fact that it would clearly have consequences if the French people chose to vote no in their referendum.''

There is widespread euro-scepticism in Britain and significant sections on both the Left and the Right are opposed to the constitution fearing that it would compromise its sovereignty.

Many Labour supporters are backing a "no'' campaign launched on Wednesday.

In the event of a French veto, Prime Minister Tony Blair will have his work cut out when he takes over the presidency of E.U. in July.

AP adds: Leaders urge people to back treaty

Joining forces to try to save the E.U. constitution, the German, Polish and French leaders on Thursday implored France to back the treaty by saying ``yes''. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said it was ``pure illusion'' to think that the 25 E.U. nations would go back to the text and modify it if France votes ``no.'' ``France has a big responsibility not to let other Europeans down,'' said Mr. Schroeder, standing beside the two other leaders at a news conference in the eastern city of Nancy. — AP

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