G8 harmony shattered, as France and US duel over Iraq

[Spazito]

SEA ISLAND, United States (AFP) - The United States and France clashed again over Iraq (news - web sites), sparring over NATO (news - web sites)'s role in the occupation, one day after soothing their dispute on post-war strategy with a new UN resolution.

Diplomatic hostilities reignited at the Group of Eight summit, after Bush, emboldened by the Security Council green light for his bid to remake Iraq, went on the offensive, calling for a greater NATO presence in the country.

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Facing a knife-edge reelection battle, Bush wants to ease the plight of US troops, many of whom are reservists or on extended tours as they battle a vicious insurgency.


But French President Jacques Chirac, reprising his role as Bush's chief antagonist over the Iraq invasion last year, erected an immediate rhetorical roadblock on the highly secured private island hosting the summit.

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