FRENCH guests pulled out of an exchange visit to Coniston because they feared a cool reception following their Government's stance on the Iraq war.
A group of 21 guests from Illiers-Combray arrived last weekend as part of a thriving seven-year twining arrangement between the two communities.
But global politics interfered when four members of the French party pulled out, claiming they were concerned about being shunned and citing anti-French newspaper articles in the British press.
President of the French twinning group Michel Lenfant urged people in Britain and France to ignore media criticism and concentrate on building friendships.
May 16, 2003 09:30
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