The French people need to think seriously about the May 29 referendum on Europe's constitution as the fate of France for decades to come depends on the outcome, French President Jacques Chirac said on Sunday. The constitution, agreed by EU leaders last year after much debate, is intended to make the Union work more smoothly following its enlargement from 15 to 25 member states last May. France will be the second member state to hold a referendum on the treaty, which requires the approval of all member states and rejection by France could plunge the Union into crisis. The fate of France, the fate of the French people and Europeans in general are being determined more and more by discussions among among European leaders, Chirac said in Tokyo. "It is of the utmost importance that the voice of France and its influence are, like other European countries naturally, part of the decision making process for the future," he said. --More 2159 Local Time 1859 GMT
