The day after the disappearance of Jacques Chirac, Vincent Hervouet wonders what will remain of the former French president internationally.
With Jacques Chirac, France had the feeling of counting in the world. What consolation!
His presidency begins clear sword. French peacekeepers are prisoners in Yugoslavia, Jacques Chirac sends the paratroopers and two of them are killed. But it's the end of humiliation, the beginning of a policy. Diplomacy also scrap. The resumption of nuclear tests is an arm of honor.
Everywhere, ecologists besiege the embassies but Chirac holds good: deterrence is at stake.
He is also rebelling in Jerusalem, when he has been walking on his feet for two hours. The whole world sees the scandal in via Dolorosa. He goes back furious in the armored limousine. He arrives at the King David Hotel where Benymin Netanyahu is waiting for him. The tension is palpable. Security is still zealous. The doors are closed, large blue cloths are stretched to hide the view. Jacques Chirac says: "And now they are going to wash the car!" Those who accompany him burst out laughing. And the stunned Israeli Prime Minister sees a hilarious president getting off the car.
It is Asterix who stands up to the Americans crusade in Iraq. Threatened with a veto, George Bush will do without the UN. Everyone remembers it. What we forget is that it was then necessary to crawl to be forgiven. The UN is weakened, the Middle East does not recover, France remains offside.
With Chirac, France held its rank but in 12 years, she lost her place everywhere. In Europe, with the failure of the referendum in Africa from where it folds when all rush to Asia, where no one shed tears on Thursday.