Cannot declare war on Austria

[buergermania]

Hello. I've played COG: EE for several months now. But I am now trying to play the 1803 campaign as France for a second time. Both times I have played the 1803 campaign as France the game reaches a point where I cannot declare war on Austria. I have usually had the option to do so in the first few months of 1803, if I want. But I'm often not ready yet and by the time I want to, the option is gone for some reason. And it never comes back, no matter what kind of diplomatic relations I enter into with any other nation, including Austria, and no matter how powerful I become or how much fear France inspires.

Anyway, can someone help me with this? It seems like a bug, which is why I am posting this here. But if it is some kind of in-game mechanic, please let me know so I can find out what I am doing wrong.

Thanks!

[ericbabe]

There are several rules that disallow declarations of war, such as having a mutual enemy, or a treaty option forbidding it, or being within the period of enforced peace.