BBC NEWS | Iraq president halts French visit

"Tensions between Paris and Iraq were fuelled by comments by Iraq's Prime Minister Allawi in the Iraqi National Accord newspaper saying France's opposition to the war in Iraq had not spared it from terror.

In an editorial, the newspaper said: 'Chirac, who wants to present himself as fair, must take his share of responsibility for the kidnapping of his two compatriots as he opposed all international resolutions aimed at restoring Iraqi's security,' according to AFP.

France's foreign ministry issued a strongly worded statement saying Mr Allawi's remarks had been 'unacceptable'. "

Allawi is a nutcase. Ask any Iraqi who has better favor in Iraq: France or US. You can be sure of the response. Or ask the Washington Post from their Sept 29 2003 poll:

"The poll also found that 29 percent of Baghdad residents had a favorable view of the United States, while 44 percent had a negative view. By comparison, 55 percent had a favorable view of France.

Similarly, half of Baghdad residents had a negative view of President Bush, while 29 percent had a favorable view of him. In contrast, French President Jacques Chirac drew a 42 percent favorable rating. "