BANGKOK, Thailand — The U.S.-led war in Iraq will encourage terrorism worldwide because American and British forces will be seen as "Christian invaders of Arab and Muslim land," according to France's ambassador.

The "coalition of the willing" — governments allied with Washington and London in war against Baghdad — is actually a joke because it includes lots of obscure, tiny "micro-states," the French envoy added.

"The war in Iraq will not contribute to weakening international terrorism. It will encourage it, as many Arabs and Muslims will be tempted to join forces against those who will be considered Christian invaders of Arab and Muslim land," said French Ambassador to Thailand, Laurent Aublin, reading a prepared statement.

Before the U.S.-led invasion, Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda loyalists were not inspired by Saddam Hussein, he said.

"No reasonable analyst could ever confirm that there is a link between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda," Mr. Aublin said.

"On the contrary, Saddam has always been the enemy of the Islamic fundamentalists."

The French envoy made the remarks on Wednesday (March 26) during a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.

Asked about Baghdad's alleged links to al Qaeda, Mr. Aublin replied:

"Regarding the relations between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda, nobody has yet come with convincing arguments that there are already ties, serious and important ties, between the two.

"Even though it was claimed several times during the debate in the United Nations — by the United States and Britain — when it came to the point when they had to give the proof, there was nothing."

Opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was overwhelming throughout the world, he insisted.

"An international majority, not only of states but of people, are against that war," the French ambassador said.

"The coalition of the willing, as detailed by the American government, is a little bit strange when you saw the collection of these micro-states put together, giving an impressive number. How can you take that seriously?"

Mr. Aublin was recently France's envoy to Venezuela and previously posted to Indonesia, Washington and Hong Kong. The static between Washington and Paris over the war has led to protests among some Americans against products linked to France.

"Add President George W. Bush's official Air Force One airplane to the list of spots where 'French' toast has come off the menu due to Franco-US tensions over Iraq," the French news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP), reported on Wednesday (March 26).

Journalists flying with Mr. Bush en route to MacDill Air Force base aboard the president's plane "were offered 'freedom toast' stuffed with cream cheese and garnished with strawberries for breakfast," AFP said.

Some U.S.-based conservative Internet websites demanded a boycott of French goods to show displeasure with France's opposition to the war.

"They could always rename it 'French Milquetoast'," Martin Fierroan said in a message posted on FreeRepublic.com's website.

"At my house its called 'weasel toast'," wrote Britton J. Wingfield.

"Message to the French: If you're being boycotted on Air Force One, what do you think your chances are of winning lucrative rebuilding or oil contracts in post-war Iraq?" another post said.

"I had a 'Freedom' Dip sandwich the other day. The waitress knew exactly what I was ordering even though it didn't say that on the menu," said an entry signed by "CheneyChick — Lock & Load."

"How about we call them 'Vichy Fries' or 'Surrender Toast' in all the American food chains operating in France?" suggested the Conservative News Network.

"I'm sick of the French. No more poodles for me," another person's entry read.

That posting attracted a reply which said French poodles were "on my menu at home, roasted slow with garlic and butter and, oh yeah, some chives, just a hint, or the tail pom turns bitter."

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Richard S. Ehrlich has a Master's Degree in Journalism from Columbia University, and is the co-author of the classic book of epistolary history, "HELLO MY BIG BIG HONEY!" -- Love Letters to Bangkok Bar Girls and Their Revealing Interviews.

His web page is located at http://www.oocities.org/asia_correspondent