The Rice Thresher, Vol. 94, No. 6, Ed. 1 Friday, September 29, 2006 Page: 4 of 20
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THE RICE THRESHER NEWS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29.2006
French ambassador Levitte discusses Middle East
policy, recent improvement in US-French relations
by Becky Thilo
KOK THK THKKSHKK
Working in concert, the United
States and France can make a dif-
ference in the world, French Ambas-
sador to the United Statesjean-David
Levitte said Wednesday in a talk
sponsored by the Baker Institute.
In a discussion entitled, "The
Evolving French American Rela-
tionship and the Role of France in
the Middle East," Levitte answered
questions from moderator Edward
Djerejian, director of the James A.
Baker III Institute for Public Policy
and former U.S. Ambassador to
Israel and Syria.
Djerejian began by questioning
Levitte about his impression of
the bilateral relationship between
France and the United States, espe-
cially given the countries' disagree-
ment over the war in Iraq.
'The history of U.S.
and French troops in
Lebanon is replete
with tragedy. This is
a tragic history we
share.'
— Edward Djerejian
Director of the Baker Institute
for Public Policy
Levitte compared his May 2003
Rice visit to his current visit and
pointed to a significant difference
in the level of police protection. His
disproportionately high number of
escorts three years ago indicated
heightened tension between France
and the United States. Since Presi-
dent Bush's first meeting with the
European Council in February 2005,
the French-American rt lationship has
improved, and Secretary of State Con-
doleezza Rice has been a key player in
the relationship, Levitte said.
Levitte declined to say whether he
thought the war in Iraq is necessary,
and instead said he would prefer to
let historians answer that question.
He then turned the discussion to-
ward the Middle East, focusing on
French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte,
the Role of France in the Middle East"
the Israel-Lebanon conflict and the
nuclear problem in Iran.
"We are making progress [in
Lebanon]," Levitte said. "Together
we are getting out of this tragedy
and working toward resolution."
Djerejian asked a question about
the potential outcomes of the situa-
tion between Israel and the Shiite
militia group Hezbollah. Levitte
replied that the war between the
nations was a disaster for both sides
— that both are only losers. He said
he has faith in United Nations Secu-
rity Council Resolution 1701, which
is aimed at ending the conflict in
Lebanon through the enforcement
of an arms-free buffer zone.
"The history of U.S. and French
troops in Lebanon is replete with
tragedy," Djerejian said. "This is a
tragic history we share."
Djerejian asked Levitte to share
left, joined Director of the Baker Institute Edward Djerejian to discuss "The Evolving French-American Relationship and
on Wednesday at the International Conference Facility in Baker Hall.
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his thoughts on the peace-negotiat-
ing efforts of the Quartet — the
United States, the United Nations,
the European Union and Russia
— in the Middle East.
"There are moments of great
hope and great confidence," Ix-vitte
said, "But these moments have been
replaced by misunderstanding, defi-
ance and despair. It's time to start
rebuilding confidence, he said, and
the Quartet should play a key role."
Djerejian asked what the rela-
tionship between France and Iran
would be in the future.
Levitte alluded to a meeting that
had taken place earlier that day, but
he did not comment on the details.
He said it is a tricky situation,
but negotiators are making some
progress. He expressed hope that
soon, for the first time since 1979,
American and Iranian negotiators
could sit at the same table.
"It's always better to have a
good accord than sanctions,"
Levitte said.
In his final question, Djerejian
commented on the upcoming French
presidential election. He jokingly
asked about the Socialist candidate
named "Royal," which refers to
French Socialist Party member Marie
Segolene Royal, a top candidate.
France must have lingering re-
grets over the French Revolution,
I^evitte lightheartedly replied before
discussing thecomplexity of primary
elections in France.
"We are slowly adopting the U.S.
style ... but the French — we have
a political landscape that is quite
sophisticated," he said.
When discussion was opened to
audience questions, an audience
member asked how France relates
to Bush's conclusion that Hezbol-
lah is part of the War on Terror.
Ix'vitte expressed his hope that
Hezbollah will follow the path that the
other militia followed. He favored the
group's integration into the govern-
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ment in the form of a political party
instead of its disbanding.
"Hand in hand we will fight
against terrorism; it's the scourge
of the 21st century," lie said.
The next audience question
addressed Zacarias Moussaoui,
who was sentenced to life in prison
for his involvement in the 9/11
attacks. Specifically, Levitte was
asked to comment on Moussaoui's
defense that he became mentally
diminished after suffering racial
discrimination in France.
The problem was how to protect
Moussaoui from himself, I^evitte said.
He said he admired Moussaoui's law-
yers and was glad the conspirator
could get a fair trial in the United
States' judicial system.
After the question and answer
period ended, the event moved into
Dore Commons for an award presen-
tation. Martel College sophomore
Katy Miller said she would have liked
to hear more discussion.
"I wish there had been more
time for questions from the audi-
ence because the topic was so
broad," Miller said. "Race riots in
Paris, the situation in Iraq now — I
am confident that he has lots more
to say about those things."
French Professor Deborah
Nelson-Campbell said she enjoyed
the polite banter between Levitte
and Djerejian. She said she loved
to hear the ambassadors at work
— the way they dance with such
polite ceremony.
The ceremony continued as
Levitte bestowed the honor of
Cominandeur de l'Ordre National
du Merite on President David Le-
ebron. After Levitte praised Rice
as one of the best, if not the best
university in the United States, lie
explained Leebron's award.
"It is simply because you are a
great American," levitte said. "It is
simply because you are an outstand-
ing lawyer. It is simply because you
are the leader of a great American
university. Your vision and ambition
for you and Rice make you a true
citizen of the world."
AfU-r the medal was placed around
his neck, Ijeebron accepted the honor
with remarks in French and English.
"I think this is the first time I've
had something nicer around my
neck than my wife has had around
hers," Leebron remarked.
1
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Brown, David. The Rice Thresher, Vol. 94, No. 6, Ed. 1 Friday, September 29, 2006, newspaper, September 29, 2006; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth443049/m1/4/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.