French leader says Chirac 'controlled' by Jews
March 3, 1997
Web posted at: 10:24 p.m. EST (0324 GMT)
PARIS (CNN) -- France's extreme right National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen has been quoted as saying he believes French President Jacques Chirac is in the pay of Jewish organizations. The comments are in the book "Story of a President," which is published this week.
In the book, Le Pen says he had long asked himself why Chirac, a conservative, was so hostile to the National Front. He says he came to the conclusion that "Chirac is controlled, by whom? By Jewish organizations, notably the notorious B'nai B'rith," a U.S.-based Jewish group.
The book seems certain to cause uproar in France. Already Monday, France's Socialists called on Chirac to sue Le Pen for his remarks.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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