Look on the bright side

Date: 21/12/1995

Chirac's mood was best encapsulated in his response to Major's friendly, if a little tactless, greeting at the start of proceedings.

Well aware that chaos still reigned on the streets of Paris and that Chirac is, to put it mildly, up against it over domestic policy, Major cheerily asked: “How are things in France?” Chirac, equally well aware how rapidly politics can kick you when you're down, responded: “Fine - this morning.”