Jacques Chirac Quotations | Page 3

not a force of division, but a force of harmony.

it's time take action in a massive way.

It's time for you to invest more and better in research on our soil, ... I don't see any contradiction between the international nature of your business ... and the privileged link you must retain and strengthen with France.

I want to say to the children of the difficult neighborhoods: Whatever their origin, they are all daughters and sons of the republic, ... We will construct nothing durable without respect. We will construct nothing durable if we allow the growth, wherever they originate, of racism, insults, abuse. We will construct nothing if we do not combat the poison to society that is discrimination.

The world is not only a market. Our societies need rules. The economy must be in the service of man and not the reverse.

The vocation of Europe and of European institutions is also, and above all, to defend Europe, to defend the economic, financial and social interests of Europe,

The use of civilian nuclear energy, which is perfectly legitimate, must not serve as a pretext for pursuing activities that could actually be aimed at building up a military nuclear arsenal,

The Zagreb summit underlines the determination of the European Union in its fight for democracy, peace and reconciliation on our continent,

Things being complex, it is not realistic to imagine that we could establish a solid peace by cutting it up into small pieces,

these unacceptable acts, these barbaric acts that always attack innocent people.

I want to solemnly say to all those who support Milosevic that they are taking a very, very big risk and carry a very, very serious responsibility with regard to their country,

I want to tell President Bush, who is my friend, that we bring you the total solidarity of France and the French people, it is a solidarity of the heart,

I want to stress how much this situation is unworthy of the natural requirements that we owe to people here in France, whatever their origin or nationality,

Once again, we have shown the French-German motor, which is so important for European integration, works well,

Serbian leaders now have a choice to make, ... Or they can stonewall. But if they do that, they will be held accountable.

The message of the international community is clear - it has united to tell Iraq that it is now time to co-operate fully with the United Nations.

The international community should mobilize to reconstruct all that has been destroyed,

The countries concerned must channel the bulk of their efforts to curb emissions through national or regional measures. No country can elude its share of the collective effort.

I invite the Iranian authorities to make the choice of cooperation and trust by genuinely looking at this offer and by reverting to their commitments to suspend activities linked to the production of fissile materials,

I intend to respond ... by giving a new and strong impetus to the action of the government,

In an open world, no one can live in isolation, no one can act alone in the name of all, and no one can accept the anarchy of a society without rules, ... There is no alternative to the United Nations.

I know that the French people will understand that we had to act, ... Before the unjustified and incomprehensible obstinacy of President Milosevic, the allies unanimously agreed that there was no other choice than to intervene militarily against targeted Serbian objectives. This in order to contain a tragedy which endangers the stability of the Balkans more and more.

I'm optimistic we'll get the resolution vote tomorrow, I'll put it to you that way.

I'm very touched, I feel a great sense of responsibility.

if we want, in this troubled and unsettled international context, to guarantee the security of our citizens and influence the international choices that affect our interests.

In this situation there is no solution in confrontation, ... unity and firmness.

in no way a source of concern or worry to me.

I'll try as much as possible to be,

In the name of the French people, forever a friend to the American people, I express to you the profound emotion and feeling of solidarity in the ordeal that all my compatriots are feeling.

being left on the outside of other nations.

Children from these difficult neighborhoods ... whatever their origins ... are all sons and daughters of the republic,

I don't know if we should use the word 'war,' ... Now we are faced with a conflict of a completely new nature, a conflict that is attempting to destroy human rights, freedom, the dignity of man, and I believe that everything must be done to safeguard these values of civilization.

Germany and France have the same judgement on this crisis,

What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs.

As soon as one nation claims the right to take preventive action, other countries will naturally do the same. If we go down that road, where are we going?

National Missile Defense is of a nature to retrigger a proliferation of weapons, notably nuclear missiles. Everything that goes in the direction of proliferation is a bad direction.

France will insist on the need for updated and responsive institutions.

This will provide an engine, an example that will allow Europe to go faster, further and better.

Our two peoples have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the brotherhood of blood spilled.

Terrorism takes us back to ages we thought were long gone if we allow it a free hand to corrupt democratic societies and destroy the basic rules of international life

For the first time, humanity is instituting a genuine instrument Kyoto Protocol of global governance,"..."By acting together, by building this unprecedented instrument, the first component of an authentic global governance, we are working for dialogue and peace.

The authority and influence of France on the world scene in the 21st century will not depend solely on its modernity and cohesion, nor even on the continuity and professionalism of its foreign policy. France will be heeded if it has a message to convey. Faced with the temptations of laissez-faire, France must stand out as the nation with the imagination and determination to pursue an ambition that combines cogency with generosity.

The only thing they (the English) have ever done for European agriculture is mad cow disease.

If our language, our programs, our creations are not strongly present in the new media, the young generation of our country will be economically and culturally marginalized.

Our approach and our vision ... is identical.

The European Union and Russia have an identical viewpoint. We have condemned any potential revision of the ABM treaty, believing that such a revision will involve a risk of proliferation that will be very dangerous for the future.

King Fahd was also committed to the strong and trusting relations between France and Saudi Arabia. This old friendship, which began with an exceptional link established by General De Gaulle, took on a new dimension under his reign, helped by a shared vision of what was at stake regionally and internationally.

I am not prepared to accept the economics of a housewife.

As far as France is concerned, we are ready to envisage everything that can be done under UNSCR 1441. [...] But I repeat that every possibility offered by the present resolution must be explored, that there are a lot of them and they still leave us with a lot of leeway when it comes to ways of achieving the objective of eliminating any weapons of mass destruction which may exist in Iraq. I'd like nevertheless to note that, as things stand at the moment, I have, to my knowledge, no indisputable proof in this sphere.

Anything that can hurt the convictions of another, particularly religious convictions, must be avoided. Freedom of expression must be exercised in a spirit of responsibility. I condemn all manifest provocation that might dangerously fan passions.

France is deeply upset to learn of the monstrous attacks that have just struck the United States.... In these terrible circumstances, all French people stand by the American people. We express our friendship and solidarity in this tragedy.

Romania and Bulgaria were particularly irresponsible. If they wanted to diminish their chances of joining Europe they could not have found a better way.

Our house is burning down and we are blind to it. The earth and humankind are in danger and we are all responsible. It is time to open our eyes. Alarms are sounding across all continents. We cannot say we did not know! Climate warming is still reversible. Heavy would be the responsibility of those who refuse to fight it.

Helping to build a better-organized, fair and harmonious world: that idea lies at the heart of my conception of our country's role. Down through the centuries, France has provided answers to the great questions facing mankind. In continuing to do so, France is responding to a genuine demand, displaying leadership and influencing the course of events.

...the Kyoto Protocol...the first component of an authentic global governance...

These irresponsible acts, which cannot have any justification whatsoever, are to be fully condemned. In these appalling circumstances, I want to offer you the most sincere condolences, both in my name and in that of the French people.

I never like to say that I 'believe' anything. There are no ideas worth believing.

One does not export democracy in an armored vehicle.

No one can act alone in the name of all and no one can accept the anarchy of a society without rules.

Never before has information been so important, to governments and businesses alike. And please don't imagine that some of you gathered here today may be less concerned than others. Globalization means that the "butterfly effect" is everywhere at work. The mistakes of a stockbroker in Singapore or the collapse of the Baht in Bangkok, the decisions of a Finnish industrial concern, or what the Governor of Minas Gerais in Brazil decides to do about his State's debt, have had consequences for the world as a whole.

I would like to express to all Londoners, to all of the British people, the solidarity, the compassion and the friendship of France and the French people.

Isolated and limited vision problem.

The construction of Europe is an art. It is the art of the possible.

The law must have the last word.

Faced with intolerance and hatred, no debate is possible.

It is with enormous distress that France has just learned of the monstrous attacks there is no other word for it that have just struck the United States of America. In these horrifying circumstances, the entire people of France, and I want to emphasize this, stand by the people of America. They express their friendship and solidarity in this tragedy. Naturally, I want to assure President Bush of my total support. France, as you know, has always condemned and unreservedly condemns terrorism, and considers that terrorism must be combated by all possible means.

Finally, a safer world presupposes the revival of the virtuous circle of non-proliferation of weapons and disarmament.

One can go to war alone, but you can't build peac alone.

Sovereignty is a question of principle. We must tell the Iraqis: you are a sovereign people. And you are in charge of your own future.

As far as I'm concerned, war always means failure.

One month, two months, I am ready to accept any accord on this point that has the approval of the inspectors.

Our house is burning and we look elsewhere. Nature, mutilated and over-exploited, can no longer reconstitute itself and we refuse to admit it. Humanity is suffering. It is suffering from poor development, in the North as in the South, and we are indifferent. The Earth and humanity are in peril and we are all responsible. It is time now to open our eyes

I am logically in favour of a referendum. It would be the only legitimate way.

You cannot trust people who have such bad cuisine. It [Great Britain] is the country with the worst food after Finland.

Terrorism has become the systematic weapon of a war that knows no borders or seldom has a face.

Franco-American relations have been, and always will be, both conflictual and excellent. The U.S. finds France unbearable with its pretensions; we find the U.S. unbearable with its hegenomism. But deep down, we remember that the 'boys' - came to help us two times, just as the Americans remember that the French helped them with their independence. So there will be sparks but no fire, because a real bond exists.

I felt they acted frivolously because entry into the European Union implies a minimum of understanding for the others,

I am now going to go home and resume my activities. My doctors have told me to be sensible for a week, and so as I am a disciplined person I shall be sensible,

I fear we will not be able to progress as far as we should, ... avoid being blocked by a single country.

I feel, I tell you from the outset, in very good shape, ... To hide nothing, I was starting to grow anxious to get out. That's a fact. I started to find the time long, especially at lunch time.

I call on the Iranian authorities to choose cooperation and trust by seriously examining

I do not believe that it is NATO's purpose to intervene in Iraq, nor do I believe that it would be relevant or proportionate or even well understood by people in Iraq and abroad,

I believe in France and I know and love the French. I'm sure that, beyond ideology, prejudices and dogmas, by dialogue and mutual respect, we can make France a winner.

great admiration for the extraordinary work that has been carried out by Germany's chancellor

For the future, of course, we should create a European food safety agency which is transparent, efficient and above suspicion,

The Iraqi authorities understand it is in their interests and the interests of the region and the world to avoid a spiraling or escalation, ... Of course, it is not too late for the Iraqi authorities to reverse their decision.

The Iranian president is taking the risk of his country being made an outlaw state.

The unanimous vote by the Security Council... offers Iraq a chance to disarm in peace. That was the meaning of France's initiative since the start.

This is necessary to speed up the return to calm,

The hundreds of events launched in China have proved the close bilateral relationship established based on a spirit of dialogue and sharing

the friendship and the co-operation between our two countries.

The friendly, humble, soft but vivid light of the iron man who, in the dark depths of the jail, in the abyss of totalitarianism, never weakened.

The French people stand with all their hearts at the side of the American people,

The full truth must come out about these unjustifiable acts.

The Franco-German relationship has something special to it, ... This Europe, if it is to work properly, must have a strong Franco-German axis. If we don't get along, the system gets blocked.

The further stability of foreign exchange markets is of key importance not only to each of our economies but also to the entire world economy,

The law should have the final say, and the republic is determined to be stronger than those who want spread violence and fear. Those people will be apprehended, judged and punished.

The law must have the last word, ... to be stronger than those who want to sow violence or fear, and they will be arrested, judged and punished.

The law must be applied firmly and in a spirit of dialogue and respect, ... The absence of dialogue and an escalation of a lack of respect will lead to a dangerous situation.

The light of the writer and the dramatist who, by the power of the pen, armed solely with courage and his faith in mankind and truth, has nurtured the hopes of the oppressed who were denied democracy,