After American and French politicians exchanged barbs over the war in Iraq, the French ambassador to the United States denounced the rivalry between the two countries to about 120 people in McKeldin Library yesterday.
France and the United States are improving a long friendship and joining forces on several international fronts, said Jean-David Levitte, French ambassador to the United States.
Levitte spoke on “France and the United States in a World Transformed,” as part of the Office of International Programs’ Ambassadorial Lecture Series. While Levitte noted differences of opinion on the war in Iraq, he said the two countries are working together to rebuild the Afghan government and will do so in Haiti as well.
“We disagree as members of the same family … that’s the life of the democratic family,” Levitte said. “But it doesn’t mean the end of our friendship.”
He said it is especially necessary to emphasize the positive relationship with young people.
“It’s very important to me to meet the professors, but even more important to meet the students because they are the future,” Levitte said, noting that he feels it is important to speak on the same issues to French college students as well. “You have to build this friendship among the students on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Junior romance languages major Rachel Keller said she appreciated Levitte speaking against the stereotype of resentment between France and the United States.
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