Chirac: France will veto UN resolution on Iraq

President Jacques Chirac tonight said that France was prepared to veto the US-backed resolution on Iraq if necessary, joining Russia in saying it would vote against giving Saddam Hussein until March 17 to disarm.

Chirac said in a televised interview that France would vote against any resolution that contains an ultimatum leading to war: “No matter what the circumstances we will vote ’no.”’