IT WAS inconceivable, Mr Jacques Chirac's spokeswoman said, that President Chirac would tour the Middle East without stopping in Lebanon, even though he paid a state visit just six months ago.
For Lebanon has a special place in every Frenchman's heart. And Mr Chirac yesterday promised its people that "France will always be at Lebanon's side" to ensure that the weak, helpless little country does not pay with its sovereignty for others' peace treaties.
Gaullist pride and grandeur underlay Mr Chirac's warning to the US that France will veto any non French speaking candidate for the post of UN Secretary General. France supports Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, Mr Chirac said but if the US vetos his re election - "as is their right" - then France would not automatically veto anyone the US proposed. However, France will veto any candidate who is not really, completely francophone." The President, Mrs Robinson, often mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed Dr Boutros Ghali speaks fluent French.
Mr Chirac had harsh words for Sir Leon Brittan, the British Vice President of the European Commission who earlier said that large EU countries should "abstain from all independent action" in the Middle East. EU commissioners, Mr Chirac suggested, "must abstain from intervention in all affairs that do not concern them".
The French President chided the US for not paying its UN dues, and in a further allusion to Washington noted that the UN. . . cannot be under the exclusive management of one country. No one has privileged authority over the UN". He regretted that more and more Lebanese students opt for US education. In the late 19th century, France established the Universite Saint Joseph to compete with the American University of Beirut, founded by Protestant American missionaries. I have no hostility towards the English language, but I warn against the consequences of this trend," Mr Chirac said. "If we are not careful there will be only one language and one culture. It's obvious that if everyone learns English, all the little languages will be lost."
When a student asked Mr Chirac what he thought of the presence of tens of thousands of Syrian troops in Lebanon, the audience applauded the question. Many Lebanese, especially the Christians, feel the Syrians are an oppressive, occupying power. I don't know if you or the Syrian army are clapping," Mr Chirac responded with a wry smile.
The Syrians came here by invitation. They came. They stayed. Laughter broke out in the audience. But, Mr Chirac told them, President Hafez Al Assad had assured him that Syrian troops will withdraw once Israeli forces leave southern Lebanon.
For the many Christians present it was a distant promise, but a promise all the same.
