Chirac sends condolences over Bigley death
President Jacques Chirac said today that the French share the “emotion and pain” of Britons over the execution of Kenneth Bigley.
In a letter to Tony Blair, Mr Chirac said he was “very shocked” and asked him to extend his condolences to the Bigley family.
“In this ordeal so cruel, all of the French feel solidarity with the British people. All share its emotion and pain,” Mr Chirac wrote in the note that was addressed from China, where he is on a trip.
In a separate statement, France’s Foreign Ministry condemned the execution “with the greatest firmness” and called for the immediate release of all hostages in Iraq.
France is caught in its own hostage drama, with two French reporters and their Syrian driver missing since August 20.
A group calling itself the Islamic Army in Iraq claimed to be holding the men and demanded that France revoke a law banning Islamic headscarves and other religious apparel in public schools.
Georges Malbrunot, Christian Chesnot and their driver were apparently headed for the city of Najaf when they were taken captive.
France’s government is still working for their release.
