"Ex-French president received millions from ex-colonies"

Lawyer Robert Bourgi has stated that he personally handled some USD 20mn in cash sent to former French President Jacques Chirac "from (ex) African colonies". Bourgi claims that the money was also given to Chirac's prime minister, Dominique de Villepin. "Ex-French president received millions from ex-colonies" "I believe I took some USD 20mn to Chirac and Villepin," the lawyer told Radio Europe 1. Bourgi specified that the money was sent by leaders of Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Congo and Gabon. These accusations came only seven months before the start of the French presidential campaign, where Villepin could run against the current president, Nicolas Sarkozy. The AFP news agency is reporting that Bourgi was an advisor to both Chirac and Villepen, and is now "suspected of being close to Sarkozy". He said that African leaders sent suitcases of cash to their French counterparts on several occasions between 1995 and 2005. Bourgi asserted that his decision to go public with the allegations was motivated by his desire to see "a clean France", and added that a similar system of bribes existed with the countries previous presidents, including Giscard d'Estaing, George Pompidou, and Francois Mitterand. The lawyer further said that the money thus received was used mostly to finance election campaigns, and claimed that he personally took part in the handover of the suitcases at the Paris city hall while Chirac was mayor, from 1977 until 1995. Both Chirac and Villepen rejected these accusations as unfounded and announced they would press charges. Chirac is currently on trial for embezzling state funds during his tenure as Paris mayor. A French court decided on Monday that the trial will continue without the presence of the defendant, after a neurologist reported that his memory was "too weak". Jacques Chirac (file)

"Ex-French president received millions from ex-colonies"

"I believe I took some USD 20mn to Chirac and Villepin," the lawyer told Radio Europe 1.

Bourgi specified that the money was sent by leaders of Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Congo and Gabon.

These accusations came only seven months before the start of the French presidential campaign, where Villepin could run against the current president, Nicolas Sarkozy.

The AFP news agency is reporting that Bourgi was an advisor to both Chirac and Villepen, and is now "suspected of being close to Sarkozy". He said that African leaders sent suitcases of cash to their French counterparts on several occasions between 1995 and 2005.

Bourgi asserted that his decision to go public with the allegations was motivated by his desire to see "a clean France", and added that a similar system of bribes existed with the countries previous presidents, including Giscard d'Estaing, George Pompidou, and Francois Mitterand.

The lawyer further said that the money thus received was used mostly to finance election campaigns, and claimed that he personally took part in the handover of the suitcases at the Paris city hall while Chirac was mayor, from 1977 until 1995.

Both Chirac and Villepen rejected these accusations as unfounded and announced they would press charges.

Chirac is currently on trial for embezzling state funds during his tenure as Paris mayor. A French court decided on Monday that the trial will continue without the presence of the defendant, after a neurologist reported that his memory was "too weak".