PARIS — Ever since French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed Britain's entry into the European Common Market and took his country out of the integrated military structure of the NATO alliance, France has had a reputation as a country that knows how to say "no" — a reputation greatly bolstered by President Jacques Chirac's opposition to the war in Iraq.
That stance earned Paris plaudits from other governments that opposed the American-led invasion notably its neighbor and close partner, Germany. But now there are signs that Chirac risks painting himself into an isolated corner, both abroad and at home. That could have important consequences for Europe and the wider international community given France's global role if it results in a weakened presidency for the next three years.
Underlying Chirac's foreign policy is his desire to establish a group of nations that will counterbalance American power, with France at their head in a re-creation of de Gaulle's dream of giving his nation a major global role by positioning it between the great power blocs in the 1960s.