Even the French Will Vote "Non!" on the EU

After pushing the EU for years as a way to legislate French dominance in Europe, Jacques Chirac and other leaders have finally admitted - in private - that even French citizens are unlikely to ratify the Consititution. This comes as the European Union is heading toward a crisis which may cause some members to drop out, or at least take a more skeptical view of the fledgeling free-trade-zone-with-ambitions-of-Pan-European-Hegemony.

Ministers have privately told The Times that Britain is prepared to ditch its commitment to a referendum if France, or the Netherlands next Wednesday, vote against the constitution. They believe that if the French say “no”, President Chirac will have to declare the constitution dead or promise a renegotiation.
Because French voters consider that the treaty has already given too many concessions to Britain, ministers see no likelihood of the Government being able to put a renegotiated treaty to the country...The mood of pessimism that descended on the French Government after ten successive polls showing the “no” camp leading was echoed by Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, the former French President, who drafted the constitution. He blamed the failures of the “yes” campaign on the half-heartedness of France’s leaders.
“Our current leaders are of course believers in the idea of Europe but in their heart of hearts they are not men and women who are inspired by a European feeling,” he told a French newspaper.

Frankly, I think this is good news for the USA. If there is anything that the Americas do not need, it is a Europe which suddenly views itself as a Superpower and feels the need to flex its muscles in world affairs. As of now, the USA is an ally of Europe and a rival to China. I'd hate to see a time when Europe sees itself as only a rival to both China and the USA.