French diplomat says ties with U.S. are on the mend

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Relations between France and the United States are back on track after years of tumult and should remain that way regardless of who wins the French presidential election this spring, Paris' envoy to Washington said yesterday.

Jean-David Levitte, who took over the French Embassy in December 2002 at a time of strained ties just before the Iraq war began, said he is a "happy ambassador" these days because the two countries have similar positions on most key issues.

"Today, our relationship is back on the right track," Mr. Levitte told editors and reporters at The Washington Times. "These are not only words; these are deeds."

His comments on Lebanon's political crisis, Syria's behavior, Iran's nuclear program and its larger role in the Middle East were almost identical to the Bush administration's positions.

"We share the frustration of the United States, and for the time being, we have decided not to maintain a high-level dialogue with Syria," he said, citing Damascus' continued interference in Lebanon.

"There is not much difference between Washington and Paris," he said.

Mr. Levitte also echoed the administration's recent observations that the U.N. Security Council's December resolution that imposed limited sanctions on Tehran over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment is affecting Iranian public opinion.

"We have noted in the Iranian media the beginning of a debate about the situation that Iran is in now -- more isolation and confrontation," Mr. Levitte said.

The resolution gave Tehran two months to respond, but it is not clear what the consequences might be if it does not.

Mr. Levitte declined to comment on the situation in Iraq, saying only that the French Embassy in Baghdad is urging the country's leaders to think about their children's future when making decisions.