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Chirac involved in probe against Sarkozy: report

Vaiju Naravane

Call for dismissal of Government, early elections

Paris: French President Jacques Chirac has been further dragged into a sandal involving his conservative Prime Minister Dominique de Villpein, accused of investigating the financial dealings of Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, his main political rival, in what has come to be known as the Clearstream affair.

Mr Sarkozy's name figured on a false list of so-called beneficiaries of kickbacks from sale of French frigates to Taiwan in 1991. Investigations showed the list to be totally fabricated. Despite that, it is alleged, Mr De Villpin insisted on continuing the investigation in the hope of striking pay dirt that could be used to wreck Mr Sarkozy's electoral ambitions.

Both Mr. De Villepin and the Presidential palace have denied any investigation was ever carried out. But their version has been repeatedly put to the test by evidence leaked to the press.

The daily Le Monde published the notes made by former Military Intelligence chief General Rondot describing his numerous meetings with the Prime Minister. The paper claims its revelations "demolish" the denials issued by the two leaders.

According to Le Monde's leaks, Mr. Chirac was directly involved in ordering General Rondot to look into the allegations against Mr. Sarkozy in January 2004, and both he and Mr De Villepin were aware of the political dangers if the General's inquiry was made public.

"Protect the President," and "Risk: that the PR [President] be damaged" were written several times in Gen. Rondot's notes, Le Monde reported. And in July 2004, the spy-chief quoted Mr. De Villepin as saying: "If we appear, the President and me, we're sunk."

Gen. Rondot also said he was instructed to bypass his immediate boss, Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie. Calls for dissolving Parliament and holding both presidential and legislative elections one year ahead of schedule are now being made with insistence. The Socialist Opposition has renewed calls for dismissing the present Government.

The examining magistrate delving into the scandal surrounding kickbacks has also been suspended for "irregular behaviour".

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