Chirac awards high French order to Clint Eastwood

PARIS, Feb 17 (Reuters) President Jacques Chirac awarded the Legion d'Honneur order to actor and director Clint Eastwood today, calling his latest films lessons in humanity.

''At this side of the Atlantic ... you embody the best of Hollywood. In France, your films move millions of viewers because they are strong without being simplistic, lucid without being cynical,'' he told the 76-year-old American during a ceremony at the Elysee Palace.

Chirac said Eastwood's latest films ''Flags of our Fathers'' and ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' showed the impasse that can follow from the blind use of force.

''This warning, which is a good lesson in humanity, evokes a special echo in our conscience,'' Chirac said.

He wished success for ''Letters from Iwo Jima'', which will be released in France next week.

The Legion of Honour is France's highest order and has five classes. Eastwood was awarded the lowest rank -- that of knight.

The order was first awarded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804.

REUTERS SP BD1935