Chirac and Taittinger  Add/Read Comments

Another chance to engage in a little French-bashing and stand ingredulous at their arrogance; Chirac is planning, apparently, to stop any foreign attempts to purchase the Taittinger Champagne producer. Mr Fr�re, a billionaire Belgian investor, is interested.

Times Online
"THE billionaire Belgian investor Albert Fr�re warned the French authorities against 'xenophobia' yesterday after claims that President Chirac wanted to prevent him buying Taittinger Champagne. Mr Fr�re reacted after reports in France that M Chirac was seeking to keep France�s fifth-biggest champagne house in Gallic hands. The reports, which were denied by the President�s office, come amid accusations of a return to protectionism in France. "