Jacques Chirac Quotes & Sayings

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

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. — Jacques Chirac

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

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. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

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

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. — Jacques Chirac

One can go to war alone, but you can't build peace alone. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

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

If we prove capable of showing a pioneering commitment, we shall create a commmunity listened to around the world. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

When you are in the family ... you have more rights than when you are asking to join and knocking on the door. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

The construction of Europe is an art. It is the art of the possible. — Jacques Chirac

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

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

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 — Jacques Chirac

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

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. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

They missed a great opportunity to shut up. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

One does not export democracy in an armored vehicle. — Jacques Chirac

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

Faced with intolerance and hatred, no debate is possible. — Jacques Chirac

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

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

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. — Jacques Chirac

The Kyoto Protocol ... the first component of an authentic global governance ... — Jacques Chirac

The law must have the last word. — Jacques Chirac

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. — Jacques Chirac

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? — Jacques Chirac

Isolated and limited vision problem. — Jacques Chirac

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

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

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