Goals for a Complicated Nation

It has often been said by his friends that from childhood on, Valery Giscard d'Estaing was condemned to succeed. He was born with the gifts of good looks and intellectual brilliance from a patrician background. Almost effortlessly, he rose to become one of France's youngest and most powerful Finance Ministers. A few days before his election as President of France, Giscard granted an exclusive interview to TIME Correspondent George Taber. Relaxing over a snack of Roquefort cheese and champagne aboard the Mystere executive jet that he used during the campaign, Giscard discussed his foreign policy and the goals that he has set for France under his presidency:

RELATIONS WITH THE U.S. Every time that the U.S. seeks a frank dialogue, bearing in mind our national concern for independence, problems can be brought up and, I think, solved. Whenever, explicitly or otherwise, the U.S. shows the will to predominate, there should be no surprise at a French refusal. The stated idea of an organized American leadership of the Western world is unacceptable, and France cannot admit it. France can accept partnership, but she cannot accept leadership. I worked with President [Georges] Pompidou during these past few years, and the general policy line will be a continuation of his. As the polls show, three-quarters of the French people agree with the present foreign policy.

FRANCE'S ROLE IN EUROPE. At present, Europe is experiencing certain difficulties due both to the problem of Britain and the shock of the oil crisis with its monetary consequences. Most European countries have also had their political problems with elections and government crises. My aim is to start forward again in the monetary area and in the area of political cooperation. France will have the presidency of the European Council of Ministers for six months beginning July 1. There will be a series of French initiatives in the direction of European union by 1980. They will not come in July, because the new government will need time to think over the problem, but in October, so as to allow the European Council of Ministers time for deliberation.

FRANCE'S FUTURE. President Pompidou modernized France's economic life, and I want to modernize its political and cultural life. For me, France represents what is best in the world. It is a difficult and complicated nation, but on intellectual and human levels, it is the best. My idea is to have an exemplary political life, very democratic and very modern. If this idea does not shock you, I see, roughly speaking, two types of political organizations in the world as models: first, the Chinese type, however you may judge it, for nations with large populations and underdeveloped countries; and second, the French society, which would be the type for middle-size, advanced industrial countries with considerable political and cultural maturity. In a few years, with a bit of effort, we can achieve a way of life and a political climate that will be among the most advanced. Perhaps not the most advanced, but the most modern. That is the best reconciliation between traditionalism and an advanced society.

HIS IMAGE AS AN ALOOF ARISTOCRAT. Franklin D. Roosevelt was a patrician, and Kennedy was a multimillionaire. In the U.S., they represented an idea of progress, and both--Roosevelt especially--led a major reform movement, so one should not be taken in by labels that politicians give one another. Anyone who follows my campaign will see that I have no difficulty in obtaining popular support. In France, people know very well whether you are self-seeking or not, and as they have been observing me for some time, they know that this is not the case with me.

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