Still unrecognised as president by many countries, Mr Sassou-Nguesso was given a lengthy audience with Mr Chirac at last week's Francophone summit in Hanoi.

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Chretien said he would discuss elements of his Monday talks with Bush at an upcoming meeting of Commonwealth nations in Australia, and a subsequent summit of "Francophone, " or French-speaking and influenced nations, later in the year in Lebanon.

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For the summit, the cracks in the country's francophone credentials were papered over.

ECONOMIST: French blows its horn | The