France doubts Bashar's capability

By Vaiju Naravane

PARIS, JUNE 16. France has expressed doubts about the ability of Mr. Bashar al-Assad, the new President of Syria, to maintain stability in the region.

Mr. Hubert Vedrine, the French Foreign Minister, expressed these doubts during the weekly Cabinet meeting and was quoted by the Government spokesman, Mr. Daniel Vaillant, as having said: ``Bashar will most probably accede to power.

The question which arises is will he be able to exercise his authority over a period of time? Will he have the authority to restart negotiations with Israel?''

Two hours after the spokesman made this announcement, the French Foreign Office issued a formal denial saying, ``The statements which were reported were not made''.

Apparently, the Foreign Minister had telephoned the spokesman to ask him to issue a denial but since the words had been spoken in the Cabinet, the latter refused.

This is threatening to blow up into a full-fledged diplomatic incident between Syria and France. It is also creating huge friction between the President, Mr. Jacques Chirac, and the Government led by the Prime Minister, Mr. Lionel Jospin. Many left wing politicians have criticised Mr. Chirac's decision to go to Damascus for Hafez al-Assad's funeral.

He was the only Western head of state to do so. France had a double barrelled team representing in the form of its President and Foreign Minister, considered by many to be excessive show of solidarity.

These internal differences have once again emerged over the shifting sands of West Asian politics. A few months ago, the Prime Minister was publicly chastised by the President for statements likening Hizbollah in Lebanon to terrorists.

Foreign policy is considered to be the special preserve of the French President and any perceived ``interference'' by the Government immediately produces a prickly reaction from the Elysee Palace.

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Section  : International
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