Chirac warns of the 'silent tsunamis' of despair

French President Jacques Chirac warned today that “silent tsunamis” of despair, such as unemployment, were plaguing the world, and urged those at the World Economic Forum to help others.

“The scale of the destruction is a reminder of the fragility of humankind in the face of nature,” he said, referring to the tsunamis that struck southern Asia, killing at least 157,000 people.

“This disaster should raise the alarm. Because our world suffers chronically from what has been strikingly called the ’silent tsunamis’.

"Famine. Infectious diseases that decimate the life force of entire continents. Violence and revolt. Regions given over to anarchy. Uncontrolled migratory movements. Rises in extremism, breeding grounds for terrorism.”

Chirac spoke by video-link from Paris after bad weather in Switzerland prevented him from flying to the forum in the ski resort of Davos.