alienation news

France, Germany stand firm on Iraq

PARIS, France (CNN) -- French President Jacques Chirac said France and Germany have "the same point of view" on the Iraqi crisis.
Chirac said any decision on war in the end resides with the U.N. Security Council and that war should be avoided.
Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder held a news conference at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday after a joint Cabinet meeting to mark 40 years of reconciliation. During the briefing, they were asked about Iraq.
The French president said their mutual stance is based on two ideas: that any decision belongs to the Security Council alone.
A report on the status of inspections will be delivered to the Security Council on Monday.
"As far as we're concerned, war always means failure," Chirac said. "Everything must be done to avoid war.