DEFEATED LIONEL JOSPIN TO QUIT POLITICAL LIFE

By Safa Haeri

PARIS 21 Apr. (IPS)    France's Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin announced Sunday that he retires from political life, thus becoming the first victim of the political earthquake French voters produced by placing Mr. Jean Marie Le Pen, the 76 years-old leader of the extreme right party Front National ahead of Mr. Jospin.

"I'm profoundly disappointed (by the results) and fully assume all responsibilities and drawing the conclusions, I announce that I shall retire from political life", said a Jospin the visage serene, but marked by the surprising defeat.

His decision was greeted with dignity and praise from most of the political spectrum.

Almost all leaders from right and left, including socialists, immediately called on the voters to rally behind Mr. Chirac to defeat Mr. Le Pen in the second tour, scheduled in two weeks time, assuring the conservative President another, five years mandate.

According to the latest results, the outgoing President came first with 20 percent of the votes, followed by Mr. Le Pen, scoring a surprising 17,2 and Mr. Jospin a meager 16,3 per cent.

Sixteen candidates, ranging from extreme left to extreme right, did run in the first round of the presidential election that analysts said the result showed an important "protest vote" by giving the extreme left 11 per cent and the extreme right almost 20 per cent.

With 3 per cent only, the French Communist Party was placed behind leftist groups. "The first observation I would make is that the Communist Party is dead", said Mr. Le Pen in a statement after his victory. ENDS JOSPIN RETIRES 214022240