US embassy cable - 05PARIS6031

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 006031 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, ELAB, EU, FR, PINR, SOCI, ECON 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT CHIRAC HOSPITALIZED WITH "LIMITED 
CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE" 
 
 
Classified By: Acting Minister Counselor for Political Affairs Bruce Tu 
 
rner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  President Jacques Chirac was admitted to a 
military hospital in Paris on the evening on Friday, 
September 2 for what doctors are calling a "minor vascular 
accident" that slightly impaired vision in one of his eyes. 
According to media reports, Prime Minister Dominique de 
Villepin -- and the French public -- were not informed of the 
president's hospitalization until 12 hours later, the morning 
of the following day.  All official statements insist that 
President Chirac's illness is not serious -- it is his first 
hospitalization in over 20 years -- and that he will soon be 
back on the job.  However, the incident has pointedly called 
the public's attention to Chirac's increasing vulnerablity. 
Political defeat (the May 29 referendum), advancing age (he 
is 72), and now illness are markedly diminishing Chirac's 
political clout.  PM de Villepin, who, in accordance with 
constitutional provisions, will be chairing this week's 
cabinet meeting in place of the President, will be making the 
most of Chirac's temporary sidelining to further show the 
public that he (Villepin) is ready for the role of president. 
 End Summary. 
 
Offically a Minor Vascular Accident 
---------------------------------- 
 
2.  (U) According to official statements, a problem with a 
small vein behind an eye prompted President Chirac's 
hospitalization on the evening of Friday, September 2.  At 
Val-de-Grace military hospital in Paris, doctors subsequently 
determined that the "vascular accident" was "minor," but 
nonethless decided to keep President Chirac under observation 
for at least a week, in order to "conduct a thorough check 
up."  France's media -- mindful of the secretiveness that in 
France has always surrounded the matter of the president's 
health -- have made much of that incongruity, and have 
speculated that the "minor" vascular incident may well be 
symptomatic of a more serious health problem.  All official 
statements through COB September 6 have firmly insisted on 
the transitory nature of the president's illness, and firmly 
predicted that he would be back on the job within days. 
 
Close Hold on News of Hospitalization 
------------------------------------- 
 
3.  Early in the day of Chirac's hospitalization (Friday, 
September 2), his office cancelled a number of events without 
giving any hint that health problems were the reason for the 
cancellation.  The secrecy that surrounded Chirac's admission 
to the hospital that evening -- reportedly known only to his 
wife, Bernadette, his daughter (and communications director) 
Claude and a handful of presidential and military aides -- 
fueled the French media's speculation that those in the 
President's innermost circle, uncertain of how serious the 
president's condition might be, put political considerations 
before the public's right to know about the president's 
ability to perform the full range of his duties.  Prime 
Minister de Villepin -- and the public at large -- were 
informed only the following day, well over twelve hours 
later, that the president was in the hospital, and would 
remain there for a week.  PM de Villepin visited Chirac in 
the hospital on the evening of Saturday, September 4, 
declaring afterwards that he had found Chirac in fine form 
and eager to return to his presidential duties. 
 
Long History of Excellent Health 
-------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C) President Chirac, at least until now, has enjoyed 
legendary good health despite being a chain smoker.  He has 
always been known for his iron constitution.  He was 
hospitalized briefly for injuries suffered in a car accident 
over twenty years ago.  He has not been diagnosed with nor 
hospitalized for any health impairing condition or illness. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
5.  (C) All official statements insist that the "limited 
cerebral hemorrhage" that has befallen president Chirac is 
temporary in its effects, and that the president will soon be 
back at work.  The press and public are skeptical, however, 
because they remember the secrecy, indeed, deception, that 
have characterized the handling of prior presidential 
illnesses (Pompidou and Mitterand) in the relatively recent 
past. 
 
6.  (C) While it is far too early to conclude that this 
incident is a sign of failing health, it nevertheless futher 
undermines any hopes Chirac may still harbor of running for a 
third term in 2007.  Chirac has kept open the option of 
pursuing a third term to avoid &lame duck8 status for as 
long as possible.  But with his political credibility already 
damaged as a result of French rejection of the EU 
constitutional treaty, voters will be tempted more than ever 
to conclude that Chirac has become too old for the job. 
 
7.  (C) Chirac's illness also sharpens the rivalry between 
those on the center-right vying to succeed him.  PM Dominique 
de Villepin and Interior Minister (and President of the 
ruling Center for a popular Movement (UMP) party) Nicholas 
Sarkozy both continue to insist publicly that they make an 
effective working tandem and that they are putting the 
interests of France's economic recovery above their personal 
ambitions -- even as they continue marking their differences. 
 These differences were resoundingly evident in Villepin's 
and Sarkozy's speeches at an important party gathering over 
the weekend.  Villepin stressed fast-paced reform, but in the 
context of continuing the "French social model," whereas 
Sarkozy responded by calling for a "complete break" with the 
"politics of the past 30 years."  Sarkozy also stressed that 
nothing and no one would derail him from carrying through on 
his intention to run in 2007. 
 
8.  (C) One immediate effect of Chirac's unforeseen illness 
is that it puts Villepin in the president's chair at cabinet 
meetings, beginning with the one scheduled for September 8. 
Villepin is sure to make the most of the opportunity to 
further enhance his image with the public as a man who's 
ready to take on the top job.  Such replacement of the 
president by the prime minister is permitted under article 21 
of the constitution "on an exceptional basis," "in the event 
of an express delegation of power," and "for a limited 
period." 
 
9.  (SBU) Chirac's illness has also prompted a review of 
constitutional provisions in the event of presidential 
incapacitation or death in office.  Article 7 of the Fifth 
Republic's constitution provides for the continuity of 
presidential power.  In the case of incapacitation, the 
powers of the presidency devolve temporarily to the President 
of the Senate.  The Constitutional Council, meeting with a 
majority of its members present, can confirm permanent 
incapacitation.  If the Council confirms permanent 
incapacitation or the president dies in office, then Article 
7 requires that a new election must take place in not less 
than 20, and not more than 35 days.  End Comment. 
STAPLETON