French President Jacques Chirac attends a ceremony at Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, May 10, 2006. France paid tribute to the abolition of slavery on Wednesday, but the first national day to commemorate this dark chapter of history was marred by fresh questions over the country's colonial legacy. Marking the adoption of a 2001 law recognising the trade as a crime against humanity, Chirac unveiled an exhibition in a Paris park, museums were to run special shows and children across France were to discuss slavery at school. REUTERS/Charles Platiau 

French president Jacques Chirac attends a press conference at a European Union heads of state and governments summit in Brussels, June 17, 2004.During the meeting, EU leaders are expected to decide on the next European Commission president and on the European constitution. Pictures of the Year 2004 REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/JV BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE 

French President Jacques Chirac listens to a speech as he visits the museum of the history of medals and the French knightly orders at the hotel de Salm in Paris November 17, 2006. Chirac attended a ceremony for the reopening of the museum. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE) 

France's President Jacques Chirac leaves the European Union heads of state and governments summit in Brussels December 15, 2006. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM) 

French President Jacques Chirac speaks with his wife Bernadette as he delivers his speech to convey New Year wishes to supporters in Tulle, central France, January 6, 2007. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau (FRANCE) 

FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC KISSES HIS WIFE BERNADETTE AFTER HER VICTORY IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE FRENCH REGIONAL ELECTIONS IN CORREZE. French President Jacques Chirac kisses his wife Bernadette after her victory as regional candidate in the first round of the French regional elections in Correze, central France, March 21, 2004. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau 

Former French President Jacques Chirac (C) is applauded as he arrives at the awards ceremony for the Prix de la Fondation Chirac at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris November 24, 2011. The Chirac Fondation presents an award to individuals who work at preventing conflicts in the world. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE - Tags: POLITICS) 

French President Jacques Chirac listens to speeches at a meeting in
Auxerre January 17, 2002. The meeting was about the re-introduction of
the unemployed back into the work force. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

PW/AA 

French President Jacques Chirac points at reporters during a news conference at the end of the summit of West African leaders at the Kleber conference hall in Paris, January 26, 2003. The summit aimed at ending a bloody four-month-old war in Ivory Coast. 

Former French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech during the European Development Days in Brussels December 7, 2010. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM - Tags: POLITICS) 

France's President Jacques Chirac (C) and Chile's President Michelle Bachelet (L) travel in the subway in Santiago May 27, 2006. Chirac is in Chile for a two-day official visit. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado 

French President Jacques Chirac is seen in Papeete, French Polynesia, in July 2003. Chirac is in Papeete on the second day of his four-day official in French Polynesia. 

Newly elected French President Jacques Chirac talks on his car phone during a motorcade thjough Paris after he won 52% of the vote in the French Presidential elections May 7 

French President Jacques Chirac drinks a German beer [before his bilateral talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder] in the western German city of Aachen June 14, 2004. [Schroeder and Chirac met for the German-French consultations to discuss the upcoming EU summit in Brussel on Thursday June 17, 2004.] 

New French conservative President Jacques Chirac seen in his Citroen-Maserati convertible (SM) as he leaves the Elysee palace for a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, May 17 

French President Jacques Chirac and his wife Bernadette wait for the guests during the ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the "Operation Dragoon" landings in Provence in southeastern France, on the French nuclear carrier Charles de Gaulle, off Toulon, August 15, 2004. [Heads of state from 16 African nations, all former French colonies, are present at the ceremonies paying homage to the 450,000 troops from more than 20 countries who helped liberate. The offensive on August 15, 1944 against German forces followed the D-Day landings in Normandy.] 

FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC LEAVES PAPEETE STADIUM AFTER ATTENDING
A SHOW ON POLYNESIAN DANCES. 

French President Jacques Chirac receives a traditional collar of flowers as he is welcomed by supporters upon his arrival on the atoll of Bora-Bora, July 27, 2003. Chirac made a visit to the atoll on the third day of his trip in the French Polynesia. 

French President Jacques Chirac sahkes hands with local residents upon his arrival at Pamandzi airport in the French overseas territory of Mayotte May 19, 2001. President Chirac is on a four-day official visit to La Reunion and Mayotte in the comoros islands. This is the first visit ever of a French President to Mayotte.

CP/ 

France's President Jacques Chirac (R) and Interior Minister and UMP political party presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy attend a ceremony to honour Lucie Aubrac, one of France's greatest wartime resistance heroes, in the courtyard of the Invalides in Paris March 21, 2007. Aubrac, who played a major role in the 1943 rescue of her husband Raymond Aubrac from a Nazi prison, died aged 94. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE) 

French President Jacques Chirac (C) greets members of the public invited to the traditional garden party following the Bastille day military parade July 14. The party took place after the first televised interview with Chirac since the defeat of his centre right party by the Socialists in the recent [parliamentary elections]. 

French President Jacques Chirac waves to the crowd after the Weimar Triangle summit in Nancy in eastern France. French President Jacques Chirac waves to the crowd after the Weimar Triangle summit in Nancy in eastern France May 19, 2005. REUTERS/Christophe Karaba 

French President Jacques Chirac pushes away an unidentified Israeli bodyguard at the entrance to the Temple Mount during a tour of the Old City, as Director of al-Aqsa mosque Sheikh Mohammed Hussein (2nd L), Palestinian representative to France Leila Shahid and Palestinian minister for Islamic Affairs Hassan Tahboub (2nd R) look on October 22. Chirac, who snapped at the Israeli security saying "No security now. I don't want you. Go away. You have no business here.", will protest over the heavy-handed security measures that marred his Old City tour. REUTERS/Jim Hollander 

US President Bill Clinton, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl speak together as they attend the signing of the Bosnian peace agreement December 14, 1995 at the Elysee Palace 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth (L) bids farewell to French President Jacques Chirac on the second day of Chirac's two-day official visit to the UK to mark the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, at Windsor Castle, November 19, 2004. REUTERS/Adrian Dennis/AFP/Pool ASA 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth (L) and French President Jacques Chirac (R) watch events at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bayeux, northern France, June 6, 2004. [World leaders and thousands of veterans have gathered to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy.] 

Newly elected French President Jacques Chirac (L) listens to French President Francois Mitterrand during a ceremony in Paris to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, May 8, 1995. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer (FRANCE) 

France's President Jacques Chirac (L) leans over to listen to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel during a news conference at a three-way summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Compiegne, north of Paris September 23, 2006. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

French President Jacques Chirac tells an Israeli soldier to get out of his way as he tries to talk with an Arab shop keeper on the Via Dolorosa during his walking tour of the Old City in Jerusalem, Israel, October 22. Chirac was annoyed by the heavy Israeli security which accompanied him on his tour and at several points yelled at the security agents, both in plain clothes and in uniform, to stop interfering with his visit. REUTERS/Jim Hollander 

French President Jacques Chirac waits for arrivals at the International Conference for Support to Lebanon in Paris, January 25, 2007. Lebanon asked the International community for financial aid to shore up its heavily indebted economy and help the country recover from last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE) 

Leaders watch a fly-past at the International D-Day anniversary ceremony in Arromanches, northern France, June 6, 2004. [The ceremony, which includes, a fly-past, naval review, and medal presentations to veterans, is intended to pay homage to all the D-Day soldiers who fought] in Normandy. From R-L : U.S First Lady Laura Bush, U.S President George W. Bush, French First Lady Bernadette Chirac, French President Jacques Chirac and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. 

German Chancellor Schroeder gestures for translation at joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (R) signals for the translation as French President Jacques Chirac (L) makes opening remarks at a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris March 18, 2005. Chirac meets with Schroeder, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and Russian President Vladimir Putin for informal talks about relations between the European Union and Russia. Pictures of the Month March 2005 REUTERS/John Schults Pictures of the Year 2005 

South African President Nelson Mandela (R) and French President Jacques Chirac share a laugh during a press conference June 26 after Mandela was asked to comment on the South African soccer team performance.

PW/CLH/ 

U.S. President George Bush (L) and French President Jacques Chirac (R) look
in opposite directions as world leaders arrive for the traditional family
photo at the G8 Summit in Evian June 1, 2003. World leaders meet in Evian
for the June 1-3, 2003 G8 Summit and join counterparts from 12 major
developing countries to discuss debt relief, AIDS and access to clean water.
Pictures of the month June 2003 Pictures of the Year 2003
REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

JES/ 

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (R) is welcomed by French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac as she arrives to attend a meeting at the Hotel Matignon in Paris in this November 22, 1987 file picture. Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady" who dominated British politics for two decades, has died April 8, 2013 following a stroke, a spokesman for her family said. She was 87. Picture taken November 22, 1987. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE - Tags: POLITICS OBITUARY) 

Russian President Boris Yeltsin (R) talks with French President Jacques Chirac as they visit the garden of Rambouillet's castle, western Paris October 20, 1995. Yelstin is on a 24-hour visit to France REUTERS/Charles Platiau 

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (L) hugs French President Jacques Chirac (R) at the end of Chirac's speech during the France-German ceremony at the Memorial for Peace in Caen, June 6, 2004 as part of D-Day ceremonies in Normandy. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler Pictures of the Year 2004 VK/JES/AA 

U.S. President George W. Bush looks down as French President Jacques Chirac passes by during a photo opportunity at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, July 8, 2005. World leaders announced a $50 billion boost in development aid on Friday, declaring the deal was a message of hope that countered the hatred behind the London bomb attacks that killed at least 37 people a day earlier. REUTERS/Jason Reed KL/KI 

French President Jacques Chirac (R) listens to Pope John Paul II (L) as he arrives at Orly airport, August 21. Pope John Paul II is in Paris to attend the 12th World Youth Days, a religious festival and gathering of christians from all over the world. pw/Photo by Paolo Cocco.

FRANCE POPE 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) speaks with U.S. President George W. Bush at the G8 summit in the Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, July 7, 2005. Aid, debt relief and climate change will top the agenda when leaders of the G8 - the Group of Seven industrialised nations plus Russia - meet for three days in Gleneagles. REUTERS/Jim Young CRB/TY 

French President Jacques Chirac (R) speaks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair as Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, seen through glass (L), chats with U.S. President George W. Bush, before the start of a Group of Eight summit in Gleneagles, Scotland July 7, 2005. Aid, debt relief and climate change will top the agenda when leaders of the G8 - the Group of Seven industrialised nations plus Russia - meet for three days in Gleneagles. JAPAN POOL REUTERS/Eriko Sugita ES/mk 

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton (R) reaches out to touch France's President Jacques Chirac (L) before the World Cup 2006 final soccer match between Italy and France in Berlin July 9, 2006. FIFA RESTRICTION - NO MOBILE USE REUTERS/Michael Dalder (GERMANY) 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) accompanies Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as Sharon leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris July 27, 2005. France and Israel will look for ways to promote peace and security in the Middle East at talks on Wednesday, leaving behind a bitter row over anti-Semitism to open a new chapter in their relations. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer pw/mk 

PLO chairman Yasser Arafat (L) is greeted by French President Jacques Chirac as he arrives at the Elysee Palace September 25. Arafat want to inform President Chirac on the last developments of negociations with Israel and discuss with him bilateral relations 

French President Jacques Chirac and his wife, Bernadette, are led by kimono-clad hostesses as they arrive at Japanese-style restaurant Hannyaen in Tokyo November 20 for a lunch with Japanese intellectuals. The French president is on a six-day visit to Japan. 

French President Jacques Chirac and Diana, Princess of Wales chat while they inaugurate the Cezanne exhibition at the Grand Palais museum in Paris September 25. Nearly 180 paintings and drawings from all over the world are presented at this exhibition 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes French President Jacques Chirac (L) in front of the newly restored government guest house Schloss Meseberg some 70 kilometres north of Berlin February 23, 2007. The leaders of Germany and France will try to calm a storm swirling around European plane maker Airbus on Friday when they meet near Berlin for a summit that will also touch on Iran and Middle East peace. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (GERMANY) 

U.S. first lady Laura Bush (L) is welcomed by French President Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace, September 29, 2003. Laura Bush is in Paris to represent the United States in a ceremony marking the U.S. reentry to UNESCO, the United Nations' main cultural organization, from which Washington withdrew in 1984. 

French President Jacques Chirac kisses the hand of Suha Arafat, the wife of PLO leader Yasser Arafat, upon his arrival at Gaza City Airport, October 23, 1996. REUTERS/POOL (GAZA) 

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) is greeted by French President Jacques Chirac upon her arrival at the International Conference for Support to Lebanon in Paris January 25, 2007. Lebanon asked the international community for financial aid on Thursday to shore up its heavily indebted economy and help the country recover from last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE) 

Former French President Jacques Chirac (L) kisses the hand of freed French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt during a meeting in Paris July 9, 2008. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer (FRANCE) 

France's President Jacques Chirac (L) flashes a thumbs up sign as talks to Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) while Russia's first lady Lyudmila smiles during a military parade in Red Square in Moscow May 9, 2005. [The Russian military and veterans paraded in Red Square in a World War Two victory ceremony watched by U.S. President George W. Bush and other leaders.] 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) and British Prime Minister Tony Blair listen to European Commission President Romano Prodi's speech during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) October 20, 2000 in Seoul. More than 20 leaders from Asia and Europe meet to discuss economic, security and political issues.

HL 

Former French President Jacques Chirac (R) and former U. N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (L) attend the ceremony to officially launch the "Fondation Chirac" for sustainable development and dialogue among cultures in Paris, June 9, 2008. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes (FRANCE) 

Former French President Jacques Chirac (L) listens to French President Francois Hollande during the award ceremony for the Prix de la Fondation Chirac at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris November 21, 2014. REUTERS/Patrick Kovarik/Pool (FRANCE - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and French President Jacques Chirac are cheered by supporters as they arrive in Dakar, February 2, 2005. Chirac is in Dakar for a three-day visit. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer PW/THI 

French president Jacques Chirac (C) kisses his wife Bernadette as they are welcomed by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (L) at Banghkok airport February 17, 2006. Chirac is in Thailand on a three-day official visit. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer 

French President Jacques Chirac (L) and first Lady Bernardette Chirac wait for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II before a ceremony on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, April 5, 2004. REUTERS/Laurent Rebours/Pool JES/AA 

From L-R, former first lady Bernadette Chirac, former French president Jacques Chirac, their daughter Claude and her husband Frederic Salat-Baroux speaks outside the town hall after a civil wedding ceremony between Claude Chirac and Frederic Salat-Baroux in Paris February 11, 2011. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY) 

FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC LISTENS TO FIRST LADY BERNADETTE CHIRAC
DURING ELYSEE PALACE GARDEN PARTY IN PARIS.


French President Jacques Chirac (Top) turns to listen as first lady
Bernadette Chirac makes a point at the annual Elysee Palace garden
party to celebrate Bastille Day in Paris July 14, 2001. During a live
television interview to the nation Chirac denied allegations of sleaze
and struck out at graft investigators for the treatment of his family.