The reporter apparently inhabits an alternate universe. Here on earth France (and the so-called "anti-war" protesters) only increased the likelihood of war by encouraging Saddam to believe that he could continue in defiance without unacceptable consequence.
And now France is doing the same again: putting us in a position where war may be necessary by sweeping other options off the table and encouraging intransigence in our enemies.
TAKE IT BACK. I responded after reading only the first sentence, and without noting the author, the inestimable Amir Taheri, who then proceeds immediately to the very point I tried to "correct" him on.