Chirac’s attempts to promote France’s interests (as he sees them) may help French business win a contract or two in Iraq – and other unsavory spots – but it comes at a price.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Tony Blair has blocked a decision to award a French company a £3 billion contract to build the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers because of his annoyance over Chirac’s behavior over Iraq and Zimbabwe.

Somewhere, Admiral Nelson is smiling.