Polish president won't sign EU treaty

WARSAW, Poland, July 1 (UPI) -- Polish President Lech Kaczynski said Tuesday he won't sign legislation approving the European Union's proposed Lisbon Treaty.

Kaczynski's declaration, published Tuesday in a Polish newspaper, throws further doubt on the fate of the EU treaty, meant to modernize the 27-nation bloc's system of governance, The New York Times reported. Irish voters defeated a referendum on the treaty this month, becoming the first nation to reject the Lisbon proposal after 19 national parliaments had approved it. Unanimous approval of the 27 EU nations are needed to implement the agreement.

Poland's parliament was one the 19 to approve the treaty but Kaczynski said he won't sign the necessary documents to implement it. He reportedly said it would be "pointless" to ratify it in view of Ireland's rejection. His decision was being seen as a blow not only to the EU but to France, which took over the presidency of the EU Tuesday, the Times said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is a strong backer of the Lisbon Treaty and is working on a plan to persuade Irish leaders to set up a second referendum in the country and overcome resistance elsewhere in Europe, the newspaper said.