Prosecutors demand Dumas jail term

Former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas faces two years in prison

PARIS, France -- A public prosecutor has demanded a two-year jail term for former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas.

Dumas, 78, is on trial with six others accused of fraud and corruption in a scandal that has rocked the French political establishment.

The trial, which began in January, revolves around accusations that Dumas used his government position to secure the appointment of his then mistress, Christine Deviers-Joncour to a lucrative position with state-run oil giant Elf Aquitaine (now part of French-Belgian group TotalFina)

Deviers-Joncours, 53, who is also on trial, admits to being paid 65 million francs ($9.3 million) by Elf over three years. Much of this money allegedly found its way back to Dumas in the form of expensive gifts from his lover.

Other defendants include former Elf President Loik Le Floch-Prigent, 57, and former Elf executives Alfred Sirvan and Andre Tarallo, both 74.

Whore of the Republic

The scandal broke three years ago with the publication of Deviers-Joncours' book "The Whore of the Republic."

In its she claimed that Dumas, a close confidant of former President Mitterand, arranged for her employment at Elf, an assertion that she subsequently retracted under oath.

She also claimed she was paid a sizeable commission to lobby Dumas to approve the controversial sale to Taiwan of six French frigates in 1991.

Dumas has rigorously denied the accusations, insisting he played no part in Deviers-Joncours' appointment, and actively discouraged Mitterand from approving the frigate contract.

"I was opposed to the deal, but my cabinet colleagues were in favour," he said.

Public prosecutor Jean-Pierre Champrenault has demanded that Dumas, if found guilty, should receive a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 2.5 million francs ($342,000, £240,508).

He has also demanded a three-year prison term for Deviers-Joncour, who has been held in custody for the last six months, and five-year terms and 2.5 million franc fines for Le Floch-Prigent and Sirven.

The trial is expected to last until March 21, with the verdicts delivered at an unspecified later date.

"It's a heartache for me to be here," Dumas told the court at the start of the trial. "Running the risk of dishonour at my age is a disagreeable reality."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Sirven abandons Elf trial
March 13, 2001
Elf trial resumes in France
March 12, 2001
Dumas trial adjourned after arrest
February 5, 2001
Former French minister's trial begins
January 22, 2001
Peter Humi: The trial all France is talking about
January 22, 2001

French government
Elf Aquitaine

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