International tributes continue to be paid to the late Jacques Chirac, former president of France, a main contributor in its modern politics. He started his political career in the 1960s, which extended for four decades until 2007 when he left the Élysée Palace.
Along his life, Chirac was faithful to the principles of the Fifth Republic, founded by his spiritual leader, Charles de Gaulle. He was faithful to human and global principles, which made him special legacy in Africa and the Arab world.
We, certainly remember his bold stances over Middle East issues, the most notable of which is when he refused to take part in the Iraq invasion in 2003.
Everyone who knew him and knew aspects about his life, saw two kinds of characters; a political lion who can play very well the human game, and the human who finds happiness only at helping others and making them happy. This very one was extending his warm greetings and wide smile with people only to inject peace at others.
When I was coming to the house of Mr. Xavier Guerrand Hermès in Paris to attend our meetings on the Alliance of Civilizations, Cultural Diversity and Mediterranean societies, I used to meet the late French President and his wife Bernadette Chirac, as they were his neighbors. His smile and warm greetings could not be described, and his wide culture was always impressive but also his love for Morocco and the Moroccan people. His wife Bernadette Chirac, contributed with a preface at one of the books we wrote.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in his mourning for the late President, who was a close friend of his father, the late Hassan II, hailed "the memory of the great statesman who gave his life to politics firmly, nobly for the welfare of his citizens."
He added: "The Kingdom of Morocco will preserve the memory of a great friend who contributed strongly to strengthening the friendship between our two countries by making it an exceptional partnership. This unique partnership will, in the future, be a reference for our cooperation".
His Majesty stressed that Chirac's passing "is not only a loss for France, which he has served with devotion, but also for the entire international community, in which I have known a man of dialogue and convictions, and who were firmly committed to the international law and justice at the global level."
In my lectures to university students in the field of political science and international relations, I pause at the relationship between force and international law and give a vivid example from the history of contemporary international relations. In February 2003, Hans Blix, the UN inspector, presented his report on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in which he called for further inspection operations.
But at the UN Security Council, then Secretary of State Colin Powell asserted that Saddam Hussein was not committed to inspections.. At that time, then President Chirac was convicted that going to war would destabilize the region and he preferred to continue the inspections and entrusted then-Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, to lead the diplomatic battle at the United Nations.
On February 14th, 2003, France declared its opposition to the Iraq war through a resounding speech by the French foreign minister. The French position on the war has been applauded in the Security Council, a practice rarely seen in this room. Then French minister said:
"In this United Nations institution, we are the guards of idealism, the guards of conscience.. The heavy responsibility and the great honor we have should, lead us to give priority to disarmament for peace. France is an old country, so is Europe where I came from.. Europe that knew wars, occupation and barbarism, tells you this today”.
On March 18th, 2003, President Chirac declared that "Iraq today does not pose an imminent threat justifying an immediate war. France calls on everyone to take responsibility for respecting international legitimacy.. Overturning this legitimacy and prioritizing force at the expense of power of law, means bearing big responsibility".
After the announcement, Chirac's popularity rose to record highs, with three-quarters of the French saying they were satisfied with his stance. The second war in Iraq began the following day at the initiative of the United States and its ally Britain.
Chirac's decision not to go to war against Baghdad has affected relations between France and the United States for several years, and the talk to continue.
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