French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech as he leaves the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) and his wife Bernadette wave from their car as they leave the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. 

French President Jacques Chirac waves from his car as he leaves the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. 

French President Jacques Chirac (C) accompanied by his wife Bernadette (L) leaves the Val de Grace military hospital September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. 

French President Jacques Chirac speaks to reporters as he leaves the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris, September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) flanked by his wife Bernadette speaks to reporters as he leaves the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris, September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. 

French President Jacques Chirac (R), accompanied by his wife Bernadette, leaves the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. 

French President Jacques Chirac (C) accompanied by his wife Bernadette (L) leaves the Val de Grace military hospital September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. 

French President Jacques Chirac (R) shakes hands with well wishers as he leaves the military Hospital of Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. Chirac was admitted to hospital on Friday with a blood vessel problem, a government doctor said. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/CP 

French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech as he leaves the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. Chirac was admitted to hospital on Friday with a blood vessel problem, a government doctor said. REUTERS/Charles Platiau PW/CP 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) and his wife Bernadette leave the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) and his wife Bernadette leave the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech as he leaves the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech as he leaves the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech as he leaves the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech as he leaves the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac and his wife Bernadette wave from their car as they leave the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris. French President Jacques Chirac (L) and his wife Bernadette wave from their car as they leave the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer 

French President Jacques Chirac (C) accompanied by his wife Bernadette (L) leaves the Val de Grace military hospital September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Emmanuel Fradin CP/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac speaks to reporters as he leaves the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris, September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) flanked by his wife Bernadette speaks to reporters as he leaves the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris, September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac (C) accompanied by his wife Bernadette (L) leaves the Val de Grace military hospital September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac (R),accompanied by his wife Bernadette, leaves the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/LA 

French President Jacques Chirac waves from his car as he leaves the Hospital Val de Grace in Paris September 9, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac left hospital on Friday and said he felt well after a week's treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his vision. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/LA 

A man (L) delivers flowers to Val de Grace military hospital where French President Jacques Chirac is hospitalised in Paris September 7, 2005. Chirac is "on very good form" and will leave hospital in the next few days after the treatment for a blood vessel problem that affected his eyesight, the government's spokesman said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/KS 

The main entrance of the Val de Grace military hospital in downtown Paris is seen September 6, 2005. France's President Jacques Chirac conditioning is improving after he was admitted to the hospital on Friday with a blood vessel problem and he should leave the Paris clinic in a few days, a government doctor said on Monday. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/KS 

Reporters wait outside the Val de Grace military hospital in downtown Paris September 6, 2005. France's President Jacques Chirac conditioning is improving after he was admitted to hospital on Friday with a blood vessel problem and he should leave the Paris clinic in a few days, a government doctor said on Monday. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/KS 

Reporters sit outside the Val de Grace military hospital in downtown Paris September 6, 2005. France's President Jacques Chirac conditioning is improving after he was admitted to hospital on Friday with a blood vessel problem and he should leave the Paris clinic in a few days, a government doctor said on Monday. REUTERS/Charles Platiau CP/KS 

Bernadette Chirac, wife of France's President [Jacques Chirac], waves as she leaves the Val de Grace hospital in Paris September 4, 2005. [Jacques Chirac was in a Paris military hospital on Saturday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision and will keep him there for up to a week. The 72-year-old French leader was on good form after being admitted on Friday but has cancelled all appointments for the coming week, including talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Tuesday, officials said.] 

Bernadette Chirac, wife of France's [President Jacques Chirac], waves as she leaves the Val de Grace hospital in Paris September 4, 2005. [Jacques Chirac was in a Paris military hospital on Saturday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision and will keep him there for up to a week. The 72-year-old French leader was on good form after being admitted on Friday but has cancelled all appointments for the coming week, including talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Tuesday, officials said.] 

Bernadette Chirac, wife of France's President Jacques Chirac, waves as she leaves the Val de Grace hospital in Paris September 4, 2005. Jacques Chirac was in a Paris military hospital on Saturday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision and will keep him there for up to a week. The 72-year-old French leader was on good form after being admitted on Friday but has cancelled all appointments for the coming week, including talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Tuesday, officials said. REUTERS/Victor Tonelli JNA/VP 

Bernadette Chirac, wife of France's President Jacques Chirac, waves as she leaves the Val de Grace hospital in Paris September 4, 2005. Jacques Chirac was in a Paris military hospital on Saturday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision and will keep him there for up to a week. The 72-year-old French leader was on good form after being admitted on Friday but has cancelled all appointments for the coming week, including talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Tuesday, officials said. REUTERS/Victor Tonelli JNA/VP 

France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin holds a dossier as he arrives to speak to the press after visiting [French President Jacques Chirac] at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. [Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days".] 

France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin leaves after visiting [French President Jacques Chirac] at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. [Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". ] 

French police stand outside the Val de Grace Military Hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. [French President Jacques Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week with eye trouble following a blood vessel problem, officials said on Saturday. The 72-year-old French leader was admitted to a Paris military hospital late on Friday and all his appointments for the coming week have been cancelled at his request, a spokeswoman for Chirac's office said.]
ATTENTION EDITORS NOTE FRENCH LAW REQUIRES THAT FACES OF POLICE MUST BE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN FRANCE

French police take position on the grounds of the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him at the hospital on Saturday. Chirac was admitted for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". ++ ATTENTION EDITORS NOTE FRENCH LAW REQUIRES THAT FACES OF POLICE MUST BE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN FRANCE ++ REUTERS/John Schults JS/VP 

French reporters and policemen stand outside the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". ++ ATTENTION EDITORS NOTE FRENCH LAW REQUIRES THAT FACES OF POLICE MUST BE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN FRANCE ++ REUTERS/Charles Platiau JS/VP 

France's PM Villepin holds dossier as he arrives to speak to press after visiting French President Chirac at French military hospital Val de Grace in Paris. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin holds a dossier as he arrives to speak to the press after visiting French President Jacques Chirac at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". REUTERS/John Schults 

France's PM Villepin speaks after visiting French President Chirac at French military hospital Val de Grace in Paris. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin (R) speaks after visiting French President Jacques Chirac at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". REUTERS/Charles Platiau 

France's PM Villepin leaves after visiting French President Chirac at French military hospital Val de Grace in Paris. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin (R) leaves after visiting French President Jacques Chirac at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". REUTERS/Charles Platiau 

France's PM Villepin leaves after visiting French President Chirac at French military hospital Val de Grace in Paris. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin leaves after visiting French President Jacques Chirac at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". REUTERS/Charles Platiau 

France's PM Villepin walks after visiting French President Chirac at French military hospital Val de Grace in Paris. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin walks towards the press after visiting French President Jacques Chirac at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". REUTERS/John Schults 

France's PM Villepin speaks after visiting French President Chirac at French military hospital Val de Grace in Paris. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin speaks after visiting French President Jacques Chirac at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". REUTERS/John Schults 

France's PM Villepin speaks after visiting French President Chirac at French military hospital Val de Grace in Paris. France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin speaks after visiting French President Jacques Chirac at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. Villepin said Chirac is in "good shape" after visiting him on Saturday. Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week late on Friday with a blood vessel problem that has affected his vision, officials said. Villepin told journalists that Chirac was in a hurry to leave but that doctors had advised the 72-year-old French leader to stay there for "several days". REUTERS/John Schults 

French police take up position outside the Val de Grace Military Hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week with eye trouble following a blood vessel problem, officials said on Saturday. The 72-year-old French leader was admitted to a Paris military hospital late on Friday and all his appointments for the coming week have been cancelled at his request, a spokeswoman for Chirac's office said. ++ ATTENTION EDITORS NOTE FRENCH LAW REQUIRES THAT FACES OF POLICE MUST BE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN FRANCE ++ REUTERS/John Schults JS//DY 

French police stand outside the Val de Grace Military Hospital in Paris September 3, 2005. French President Jacques Chirac was admitted to hospital for a week with eye trouble following a blood vessel problem, officials said on Saturday. The 72-year-old French leader was admitted to a Paris military hospital late on Friday and all his appointments for the coming week have been cancelled at his request, a spokeswoman for Chirac's office said. ++ ATTENTION EDITORS NOTE FRENCH LAW REQUIRES THAT FACES OF POLICE MUST BE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN FRANCE ++ REUTERS/John Schults JS/DY 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks to reporters after his arrival in the West Bank city of Ramallah, June 3, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel LH/OP/TW 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks to reporters after his arrival in the West Bank city of Ramallah, June 3, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel LH/OP/TW 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) speaks to reporters in Amman after leaving a hospital in Jordan June 2, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas looks out from his car in Amman after leaving a hospital in Jordan June 2, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji AJ/DY 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks to reporters in Amman after leaving a hospital in Jordan June 2, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji AJ/DY 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) speaks to reporters in Amman after leaving a hospital in Jordan June 2, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji AJ/DY 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) speaks to reporters in Amman after leaving a hospital in Jordan June 2, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji AJ/DY 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) speaks to reporters in Amman after leaving a hospital in Jordan June 2, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji AJ/DY 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) speaks to reporters in Amman after leaving a hospital in Jordan June 2, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. AJ/DY 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks to reporters in Amman after leaving a hospital in Jordan June 2, 2005. Abbas was hospitalised on Wednesday in Jordan where he underwent a heart exam and a procedure to open a constricted blood vessel. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji AJ/DY 

Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira poses during a photo call at the Venice Lido September 10, 2004. Oliveira is at the Venice film festival to present his latest movie 'O quinto imperio' and to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico AMP/WS 

Patrick Potter, head of security for Funk music pioneer Rick James, makes a statement outside the singer's apartment complex in Burbank, August 6, 2004. James, a dynamic performer famed for the sensuous 1981 dance hit "Super Freak" as well as a descent into drugs and crime, died in his sleep Friday morning of natural causes, officials said. James, 56, the self-proclaimed "icon of drug use and eroticism," battled a crack-cocaine habit for years. He had been in fragile health since suffering a stroke in 1998 after bursting a blood vessel at a concert in Denver. REUTERS/Jim Ruymen JR/GN 

Patrick Potter, head of security for Funk music pioneer Rick James, makes a statement outside the singer's apartment complex in Burbank, August 6, 2004. James, a dynamic performer famed for the sensuous 1981 dance hit "Super Freak" as well as a descent into drugs and crime, died in his sleep Friday morning of natural causes, officials said. James, 56, the self-proclaimed "icon of drug use and eroticism," battled a crack-cocaine habit for years. He had been in fragile health since suffering a stroke in 1998 after bursting a blood vessel at a concert in Denver. REUTERS/Jim Ruymen JR/GN 

Patrick Potter, head of security for Funk music pioneer Rick James, makes a statement outside the singer's apartment complex in Burbank, August 6, 2004. James, a dynamic performer famed for the sensuous 1981 dance hit "Super Freak" as well as a descent into drugs and crime, died in his sleep Friday morning of natural causes, officials said. James, 56, the self-proclaimed "icon of drug use and eroticism," battled a crack-cocaine habit for years. He had been in fragile health since suffering a stroke in 1998 after bursting a blood vessel at a concert in Denver. REUTERS/Jim Ruymen JR/GN 

Marshall Tidus, a fan of Funk music pioneer Rick James, speaks with reporters outside the singer's apartment complex August 6, 2004. James, a dynamic performer famed for the sensuous 1981 dance hit "Super Freak" as well as a descent into drugs and crime, died in his sleep Friday morning of natural causes, officials said. James, 56, the self-proclaimed "icon of drug use and eroticism," battled a crack-cocaine habit for years. He had been in fragile health since suffering a stroke in 1998 after bursting a blood vessel at a concert in Denver. REUTERS/Jim Ruymen JR