Diplomatic warning for Jospin

"The head of state reaffirmed the consistency of France’s foreign policy andthe balance which inspires the action of our country in the Middle East,action which remains unchanged," the communique went on. Traditionallyforeign policy is controlled by the President. But Chirac declined Sunday toupbraid Jospin publicly for sparking Arab outrage by describing Hezbollahstrikes in South Lebanon as "terrorist attacks".

"I said what I had to say last night," Chirac said. "I have no other commentto make." Back in Paris, Jospin said he would meet Chirac ahead of ascheduled cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the controversialvisit. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, who accompaniedJospin to Israel and the West Bank, sought to limit the diplomatic falloutby claiming France’s Middle East policy remained "clear and unambiguous".

"On these general questions of the Middle East, the peace process, thequestion of how to describe this or that event in southern Lebanon is notvery important in terms of the overall set-up," he said. "And France’spolicy in relation to the peace process, our involvement in it, the work wehave done with all the protagonists in the conflict, all this seems to meclear and unambiguous." Vedrine suggested that the violent demonstration atthe Palestinian university of Bir Zeit had been "organised" by a smallradical faction.

Earlier, Syria and Iran had both protested publicly about the PM’s comments,while the deputy leader of the Hezbollah group demanded Sunday that Jospinapologise. Sheikh Nayem Qassem added: "Jospin is not wanted in Lebanon and Ihope that he will not think of visiting this country until he has apologisedfor the affront that he has inflicted on the (anti-Israel) resistance andthe Lebanese people." Jospin’s controversial remarks may have dealt a blowto French diplomacy, but Chirac has scored valuable points in his battlewith Jospin ahead of a presidential election in 2002. The two are likely tobe the main contenders and despite their uneasy governing relationship, bothcurrently enjoy high opinion poll standings. But Jospin’s comments have alsobeen criticised at home.

The stoning of the French PM was reminiscent of troubles that erupted whileChirac was on a visit to the old sector of Jerusalem in October 1996.

Israeli security forces clashed with demonstrators and Jospin, who was thenhead of the Socialist Party, commented at the time: "I think that diplomacyis a difficult art and that it is better to master problems before meetingthem."