President Jacques Chirac, France

Annotated Bibliography

By: Mark Wilson Robert Holland Kevin McGuigan Sources

1. France. Energy Information Administration. Available at http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/france.html

France has very limited fossil fuel resources, so it is heavily dependent on imported oil and nuclear power for energy. There is a stronger role of state relative to other western European countries with a history state ownership in the energy industry. This control links the objectives of oil and foreign policy; however, there has been a recent trend toward privatization. The divided government (it was divided in the spring) has made progress toward privatization slow. Energy policy main objectives: securing energy supply, achieving international competitiveness, and protecting the environment. France consumes approximately 2 million bbl/d (imports 1.9 million bbl/d) and has reserves totaling only 140 million. Major assets of French oil companies are located in the North Sea, Africa, and Latin America. Imports come mainly from Saudi Arabia, Norway, United Kingdom, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, and Russia. In 2000, there was the merger of TotalFinaElf which became the 4th largest publicly listed oil company in the world with proven reserves of 10.0 billion barrels. Public opinion has nuclear power on the downside, so oil imports will become more important. France has committed itself to Kyoto Protocol.

2. “Bush wins support from world leaders.” September 13, 2002 http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/09/13/bush.reax.world/index.html

This article describes France’s positive reaction to President Bush’s speech at the UN on September 12. It also describes France’s concerns to stop Iraq’s weapons program and not for regime change. Chirac proposed a two-step process in which the UN would send weapons inspectors back in. If they are refused, the UN would then reconvene to discussed further action.

3. Jon Henley, “How to Succeed in Politics without Really Lying: the Charmed Career of Jacques,” The Guardian (London), April 19, 2002.

Chirac has been accused of kickbacks and corruption while serving as Mayor of Paris. This article sheds light on Chirac’s sleazy reputation.

4. John Lichfield, “Chirac Assassination Bid Foiled,” The Independent (London), July 15, 2002.

On Bastille Day this summer, a neo-nazi party member’s attempt to assassinate Chirac was foiled.

5. John Lichfield, “By a Massive Majority…Election,” The Independent (London), May 6, 2002. This article describes Chirac’s landslide victory in the presidential election, the most overwhelming in French history. French citizens turned out in great numbers more so to reject extremist candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen than to give full support of Chirac. Despite the big victory, Chirac’s Gaullist party remained concerned over the parliamentary elections of the following month.

6. Mario Basini, “France- Voters Follow Trend in Europe,” Western Mail, June 18, 2002.

After the Parliamentary election, Chirac’s right wing will now control both the presidency and National Assembly. This allows Chirac to exercise the sweeping power he has craved since being forced in his first term “cohabit” with left wing Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. The election made Chirac’s chosen candidate Jean- Pierre Raffarin the new Prime Minister.

7. The New York Times, “Threats and Responses: Perspectives/Jacques Chirac,” The New York Times, September 9, 2002.

Chirac’s interview reveals his reservations with Bush’s call for preemptive action against Iraq. He supports multilateral cooperative action through the UN. He also claims that France has no “Muslim problem” despite the well publicized rough neighborhoods plagued by young French-Arabs known as “beurs.” He does not think this community will be radicalized by events in the Middle East. He also reiterates his position against regime change in favor of resumed weapons inspections.

8. John Tagliabue, “Threats and Resoponses: Commerce,” The New York Times, September 19, 2002.

This article describes three French parliamentary deputies’ trip to Iraq the day after President Bush’s demand that Iraq comply with UN arms control resolutions. The trip is seen as an attempt to defend French economic interests in Iraq. France ranked number one in Europe in doing business with Iraq last year. French oil giant TotalFineElf has the largest position in Iraq and has exclusive rights to develop the Bin Umar fields. These economic interests may be Chirac’s motivation for advocating his 2-stage process that would delay the military threat in Iraq.

9. Financial Times Information, “French Oil Major Hopes to Continue Kazakh Oil Cooperation,” Financial Times Information, May 20, 2002.

This article describes TotalFinaElf’s strong relationship with Iraq and Kazakhistan. The CEO expressed his desire to develop the Kurmangazy oilfield in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea. 10. Angence France Presse, “France, Saudi Seal Economic Accord,” Agency France Presse, June 26, 2002.

This article describes the immense economic ties between France and Saudi Arabia. France is the 4th largest investor in Saudi Arabia. An agreement to promote and protect investment between the two countries was signed on June 26 of 2002. Saudi Arabia is the number two exporter of oil to France behind Norway.

11. Richard Moore, “Envoy Praises Bahrain links…Ambassador,” Gulf Daily News, July 14, 2002.

This article describes the expansion of bilateral relations between France and Bahrain. France supports Bahrain’s movement toward democracy and continued trade between the two countries.

12. “Prince Abdullah Abdul Aziz…Kofi Annan.” September 20, 2002 http://www.ain-al-yaqeen.com/issues/20020920/feat6en.htm

France believes Hussein should be “kept to his word.” This article reiterates France’s support for resumed inspections. Chirac met with Saudi Prince Abdul Aziz and expressed his desire to maintain close ties with Saudi Arabia. He underlined the importance of dialogue and the role Saudi Arabia can play in establishing peace.

13. William Stewart, “Understand your world: oil, Iraq, and the US,” New Mexican Inc., September 8, 2002.

This article traces France’s reluctance to take a strong stand against Bagdad to the enormous long-term potential for peaceful Iraqi development. The writer claims the French’s fundamental objections lie in their own economic self-interest. The fact that 90% of Iraqi’s possible oilfields are unexplored makes Iraq a huge opportunity for foreign investment and development.

14. Philip Stephens, “The Real Weakness of Europe,” FT.com Financial News, September 19, 2002.

This article both characterizes the analysis of the EU by the Washington hawks and criticizes the EU’s lack of leadership. The writer assumes that, despite present objections, every member of the EU will join the effort once the US marches on Bagdad. The reason is because the EU is weak. It is weak because the economy is weak and leaders have been reluctant to adopt new policies of growth. This lack of leadership is made evident by the fear of expanding the EU to the south and east. Despite its domestic unpopularity, this expansion is just what Western European countries need to do to support its ageing population. The writer asserts that EU leaders could defy Bush only if their economies were stronger.

15. Rachel L. Swarns. “Compromise brings accord on renewable energy closer.” September 2, 2002. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/03/international/africa/03summ.html

Chirac addressed the recent Johannesburg environmental summit and criticized the US for not doing more to protect the environment. This reiterates the French interest in renewable resources.

16. Elaine Sciolino, “French leader offers formula to tackle Iraq,” New York Times, September 8, 2002.

Chirac says that he personally would like to see a new Iraqi government; however to do so would requires principles and order to avoid chaos in public affairs. He is concerned with what the implications for other countries and their governments should the US sidestep the UN as well as the disruption in the international coalition against terrorism. While Prime Minister in 1975, Chirac invited Saddam Hussein to France. France’s close relationship continued until the Gulf War, when it joined the US-led coalition.

17. Jacques Chirac: Biography. Available at http://www.elysee.fr/ang/pres/portr_.htm

This site provides biographical information on Chirac. He was born on 11/29/32 in Paris. He holds degrees from the Institute of Political Science in Paris and also attended summer school at Harvard. He was elected mayor of Paris in 1977, prime minister from 1986-1988, president in 1995 until the present.

18. “Factbox-Right/left breakdown of governments in Western Europe.” Available at http://www.reuters.com/printerfriendly.jhtml?type=topnews&StoryID=1480629

This article gives a right/left breakdown of governments in Western Europe. Sundays reelection of Gerhard Schroeder bucked a trend toward right-winged governments. France and Chirac sit on the right with many most all Western European countries except England and Germany.

19. Gareth Jones. “Update 1-EU, Asia heads back quick return of Iraq inspectors.” September 23, 2002. Available at http://www.reuters.com/printerfriendly.jhtml? type=topnews&StoryID=1482813

Chirac is opposed to unilateral action and wishes to maintain the unity of the international coalition against terrorism. 20. Tom Raum, “Washington Today: Bush administration’s Iraq campaign includes behind-scene bartering,” The Associated Press, September 21, 2002.

The article describes the behind the scene deal making the Bush administration to garner support for military action. France desires future access to Iraqi oilfields.