France, Russia signal they may go with war flow

DEAD set in public against a strike on Iraq, veto-wielding Security Council members France and Russia are showing signs they will go with the flow if it comes to war — but Germany may have to stick with its “no”.

Surveys show public opposition to war against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has hardened in Europe, including in Britain, Washington’s closest ally.

But analysts say there is an impetus pushing the waverers towards a conflict which is being generated, ironically, by UN Security Council Resolution 1441, the very mechanism they hoped would stall the march to war.