Chirac, Schroeder push for Yes vote

THE leaders of France and Germany yesterday pleaded for a Yes vote in the closely fought upcoming French referendum on the European Union’s constitution, with President Jacques Chirac warning a No would diminish French clout in the bloc it helped build.

“If we vote No, we take the responsibility for interrupting 50 years of European construction,” said Mr Chirac, speaking at a joint press conference with Germany’s Gerhard Schroeder. The German Chancellor said his government would do everything possible to back French ratification. He said he remained confident the Yes camp would win through in France and Germany.

“We will reproach ourselves later if we let this historic opportunity to advance Europe slip by,” he said.