WELL, we have now heard from all the players in the Eurodrama. The French are angry with the Brits for canceling–oops–postponing their referendum on the constitution. It seems that it is not the French “non” but the British postponement that has put paid to this adventure in superstatism. The British are divided: Some popped the champagne corks and danced on the constitution’s grave, others felt cheated out of their chance to play the role of assassin, still others mourned the death of this latest effort to push the “European project” forward. The Germans refused to hold a referendum but want the Poles to go ahead with one; the Poles are not certain that’s a good idea.

Only America has not been heard from. Washington’s official position is that it is for the Europeans to decide about the structure of Europe. The administration would say that, wouldn’t it? After all, it would be unseemly to express official joy at the discomfort of Jacques Chirac, who has tried to convert the European Union into an anti-American power bloc, and Gerhard Schröder, who won election by heaping scorn on George W. Bush.