Chirac "very French" but "tried to bring people together", says Clinton Former French president Jacques Chirac was "very French" in his ways but, as a politician, tried to "bring people together", American Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States, said at the Elysee Palace on Monday. Clinton was one of several dignitaries to visit the Elysee on the fringes of the funeral ceremony held for Chirac, who died Thursday at the age of 86. SOUNDBITE