Chirac: Jospin's remarks in Israel harmed credibility of French policy in Middle East

French President Jacques Chirac had publicly called on his prime minister, Lionel Jospin, to order by asking for a call as soon as he returned to Paris, and telephoned Jospin after the premier told journalists on his return the he had no plans to see Chirac before Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.

Chirac's spokeswoman, Catherine Colonna, said, "The President called the prime minister as soon as he returned from the Middle East." She added that, "The head of state reaffirmed the constancy of French foreign policy and the balanced approach of our country in the Middle East."

Colonna said Chirac reminded Jospin during their telephone call that France played an impartial role in the Middle East and added, "Challenging this impartiality would harm the credibility of our foreign policy and France's capacity to work for peace."

"This is disastrous for France's image. The prime minister has made a serious slip," former Premier Alain Juppe told the French "France 3 television."

In his attempt to defend Jospin, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine denied that an uproar over pro-Israeli comments by Lionel Jospin signaled a change in French policy in the Middle East.

Vedrine added the stone-throwing incident at Beir Zeit on the Palestinian territories of the West Bank appeared to have been an organized protest.

He added, "French policy on the peace process and its commitment to it seem clear to me," adding, "I think both the president and the prime minister and naturally the French diplomacy are working in a context that is not only unambiguous but also particularly dynamic."