Charles Lucet

Charles Lucet studied law and political science before entering diplomacy. His first Washington posting began in 1935 and continued through the fall of France. Recalled by Vichy in November 1942, he left its service, worked for the Free French in Washington and Algiers, and was then assigned to their mission in Ankara. ¹

He returned to Washington as ambassador in 1965. During Georges Pompidou's presidency he had to explain policies that drew sharp American criticism. In January 1970 he carried an oral message to Henry Kissinger defending France's sale of fighter aircraft to Libya. Lucet argued that Soviet suppliers would fill the gap if France refused the sale, while acknowledging that France could not guarantee how the aircraft would eventually be used. ^{2, 3}

The conversation also addressed the effect of the dispute on Pompidou's approaching American visit. His Washington ambassadorship ended in 1972. ^{3, 2}