Chirac strikes lucky in sleaze inquiry

Mr Chirac would be embarrassed if his family was questioned

By James Coomarasamy in Paris

France's state Attorney-General, Jean-Louis Nadal, has said that President Chirac may not have to answer questions about the growing cash-for-air-tickets scandal.

(Mr Dintilhac's) argument appears contradictory with the president's legal status

Attorney-General Jean-Louis Nadal

His advice contradicts that given last week by the Paris prosecutor, Jean-Pierre Dintilhac, who suggested last week that the French leader would have to explain where he got millions of francs in cash allegedly used to pay for personal trips in the mid-1990s.

In a non-binding piece of legal advice, Mr Nadal said the position of the Paris prosecutor was debatable.

However, he said there was nothing to prevent magistrates questioning Mr Chirac's wife and daughter, which would be in itself highly embarrassing for the president.

At issue is the origin of the cash, the equivalent of more than $250,000, which the Chiracs spent on private air tickets between 1992 and 1995, when the current French president was mayor of Paris.

Secret funds

His officials have denied any wrongdoing, saying the cash came from secret but legal funds which all French ministers have at their disposal.

Although nearly two-thirds of French people say Mr Chirac should explain himself, the prosecutors are deciding whether the constitution bars him from doing so.

According to the French constitution, the head of state cannot be prosecuted for offences committed while in office, but there is no firm ruling on crimes committed beforehand.

As the public awaits for the prosecutors' final decision, there have been renewed calls for the secret funds to be frozen.

It is expected Mr Chirac will address the question of this shady cash during his annual Bastille Day speech on Saturday.