FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO DISCUSS U.S./FRANCE RELATIONS FEB. 20

Jean-David Levitte, the French ambassador to the United States, will discuss "Franco-American Relations in an Age of Global Realignment" at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in room 921 - The Burgess Room - of the Batten Arts and Letters Building.

The year 2003 was an unprecedented time of tension in French-American relations, as the U.S. went to war with Iraq despite European � and, in particular, French � opposition. What are the prospects for Franco-American relations in 2004 in light of new developments in the Middle East but also in Europe itself?

Levitte began his duties as French ambassador to the United States in December 2002. He was previously permanent representative of France to the United Nations (2000-November 2002). Levitte, a career diplomat, is a former diplomatic adviser and "sherpa" to President Jacques Chirac (1995-March 2000). Levitte received his law degree and is a graduate of the Institute of Political Science and the National School of Oriental Languages, where he studies Chinese and Indonesian.

For more information, call 683-5700.