BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Chen blasts Chirac's 'meddling'

"'I just don't understand why such a national leader (Chirac) would interfere in the internal affairs of another country,' Mr Chen said.

'A referendum is not only a universal value but a human right that no country, government or individual has reason to stop, block or deprive.' "

I have to agree with Chen.

In fact, I really don't understand Chirac's message to the world, except perhaps to accept that it is a cynical caving-in to the PRC presdient Hu Jintao. Amazing to see that Chirac would stand so firmly against US unilateralism but to cave-in so willinging in front of China's. Maybe it's a desperate attempt to find some friends out there -- and China is a weighty friend to have.