'Chirac to be questioned on fake jobs affair'

Paris, June 23: Former French President Jacques Chirac has been summoned to answer questions about bogus jobs allegedly given to members of his party during his time as Paris mayor, the daily Le Parisien reported today.

The paper said Chirac, who lost his presidential immunity a week ago, had not been summoned in writing but over the phone and procedures applied to his questioning would be kept secret.

Chirac, 74, said in a late-night statement yesterday that he was ready to answer questions about cases linked to events before his election as head of state in 1995.

Investigators want to quiz Chirac over a case launched in December 2002 which focuses on the fraudulent payment of members of Chirac's conservative Rally for the Republic (RPR) by the City of Paris.

The dossier concerns about 40 bogus jobs allegedly given to members of the RPR party or their relations in the mayor's private office when Chirac (1977-1995) and his successor Jean Tiberi (1995-2001) ran the French capital.

Chirac has denied any wrongdoing. No-one at the office of the former president was immediately available for comment today.

Some Chirac associates have been convicted of embezzlement, corruption or electoral fraud and been given suspended jail terms and fines.

However, Le Parisien noted Chirac was 'not risking much' in being questioned over the fake jobs affair.

REUTERS>