In speaking of Oil-for-Food-For-Terror we are not far away from the whiff of Gallic cynicism. Today Samizdata makes a contribution to this debate with a link to an article scrutinising the writings of Dimminique de Villepin. As both poet and internationalist poseur, De Villepin does not make an inspiring case for trying to bring politics and poetry together. The author of this article, Amir Taheri, essentially accuses de Villepin of being verbose, unclear and illogical, or at east denying commonsense. Taheri never condemns, but his analysis is damning in itself.

On a related note, Tony Blair has been doing a good imitation of giving people what they want- a referendum on the European Constitution that might enable people like De Villepin even more legroom to flex their Gallic muscles. Melanie Philips thinks that it's something of a tactical victory for Blair, which sceptics will need to counter. It's crunch time for sceptics really- a serious game they didn't anticipate having to play; Melanie makes the point that they have erred in attacking Blair over his refusal to have a referendum 'when the main argument should have been that it would be unconscionable for the British Parliament to vote for the end of British self-government'