French Diplomats Shut Some Embassies to Protest Cutbacks

PARIS —  French diplomats and other Foreign Ministry personnel staged an unprecedented strike Monday to protest planned budget cuts, shutting down embassies and consulates around the globe and hindering services at home.

From Madagascar to Rome, Washington and beyond, embassy personnel walked out for the one-day strike, according to the leading union at the ministry, known as UNSA-USMAE.

Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, speaking on French radio, said half of diplomatic officials abroad were on strike. One-third of personnel in Paris took part, he said.

“Despite the strike, many of these officials -- even those who say they are striking -- continue to carry out their functions,” he said on Europe-1 radio.

Union officials reported that 97% of staff at the embassy in Washington walked off the job, but a diplomatic source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, put the number at 82%. Next year’s proposed budget calls for 116 personnel cuts at the Foreign Ministry and a decrease in housing allowances for overseas posts, among other things.

Although the ministry’s 2004 budget of $5 billion is a 2.6% increase from 2003, much of the added money is allocated for development aid, meaning the ministry itself would see a 1.3% decrease.