Article: Chirac, prime minister deny targeting rival Sarkozy as political scandal swells

ANGELA DOLAND, Associated Press Writer
AP Worldstream
04-28-2006
Dateline: PARIS
A scandal that has shaken France's political elite gained momentum Friday, with a report quoting a former secret agent alleging that Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin asked for an investigation into his chief political rival.

Le Monde newspaper reported that Villepin, on the orders of French President Jacques Chirac, asked the agent to dig up information on Nicolas Sarkozy, now interior minister, as part of a wider bribe-taking inquiry centered on the Defense Ministry.

The implication: Villepin and Chirac were trying to sully Sarkozy's reputation before next year's presidential elections _ for which he is ...

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