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French Diplomats on Strike
Thousands of French diplomats from Rome to Riyadh staged an unprecedented strike on Monday over budget cuts they say make a mockery of President Jacques Chiracâs bid to boost French influence abroad. Embassy and consular services were reduced to a minimum in the one-day protest over cutbacks which unions say have hit diplomatsâ allowances abroad and even led to paper shortages in some missions and Foreign Ministry offices. "The French approach is that you can solve world problems through diplomacy. If that is so, then give us the resources," said Yvan Sergeff, of public sector trade union USMAE. "(We) do not understand how President Jacques Chirac and the government proclaim grand ambitions for France internationally even as the human and financial means of this ministry are constantly shrinking," USMAE and five other unions said. USMAE said 126 of Franceâs 154 embassies — a diplomatic network second in spread only to that of the United States — were affected. The Foreign Ministry said most missions had been affected. In Washington, the French embassy was closed to non-urgent business. "We are only open for emergencies. Call back tomorrow," said an employee who answered the telephone there. EFL [Hysterical laughter] Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2003-12-01 |
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