Part of this problem is that there is a Franco-German entente underway designed to reduce the ability of Britain to oppose Continental designs within the nascent EU. That's part of what is going on here. The more pedestrian corruption tales (Europe is filled with the best politicians Saddam can buy..., that kind of thing) are there, of course, but I suspect the Frogs and the Hun are have other things in mind besides Saddam.
They fully intend to deny Blair his Second Resolution, not because they like Saddam. They know he's a jerk, and they actually expect us to go in and get him on our own. But they won't allow a specific authorizing resolution because they figure that Blair is becoming too big for his britches and is ripe for a fall, a la Maggie in October of 1991.
Chirac knows that Maggie was deposed in a palace coup in '91. Replacing her was the far more malleable John Major, who, when he wasn't screwing a female member of his cabinet on the side, was rather passive when it came to Europe. They'd love to see a Gordon Brown or someone more "European" at No 10.
A lot of this has to do with neutering British opposition to Franco-German designs and drawing Britain away from the Americans.
Be Seeing You,
Chris