Chirac: We Need a Strong U.S.

A renowned hard charger, Jacques Chirac continues to serve as mayor of Paris as well as Premier of France. Before a crackling log fire in his spacious and opulent office in Paris' city hall, Chirac ranged over a number of domestic and foreign questions in a conversation with TIME International Editor Karsten Prager and Paris Bureau Chief Jordan Bonfante last week. Excerpts from the one-hour interview:

On the fallout from Iranscam. If present developments in the U.S. -- on which naturally one can make no judgment -- weaken the Administration and the President, that would be bad for everybody, for the...