France Rejects EU?

"PARIS (AP) -- French voters rejected the European Union's first constitution Sunday, President Jacques Chirac said - a stinging repudiation of his leadership and the ambitious, decades-long effort to further unite the continent.

Chirac, who urged voters to approve the charter, announced the result in a short televised address. He said the process of ratifying the treaty would continue in other EU countries.

Earlier, the Interior Ministry said that with about 83 percent of the votes counted, the referendum was rejected by 57.26 percent of voters. It was supported by 42.74 percent.

All 25 EU members must ratify the text for it to take effect - and nine already have done so. The Dutch vote Wednesday, with polls showing opposition to the constitution running at about 60 percent."