Jean-David Levitte

Jean-David Levitte studied law, political science, Chinese, and Indonesian before entering the diplomatic service in 1970. Early assignments in Hong Kong and Beijing were followed by work on President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's staff. He later represented France at the UN in Geneva, directed Asian affairs, and advised President Jacques Chirac as his diplomatic adviser and summit coordinator. ¹

As France's UN ambassador from 2000 to 2002, Levitte participated in negotiations over Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq. He then moved to Washington at a moment when disagreement over the Iraq war was placing severe strain on relations between France and the United States. ¹

In May 2003 he sent the White House and members of Congress a letter protesting reports that France said were false. The accompanying examples included allegations concerning smallpox stocks and French passports for fleeing Iraqi officials. CNN reported the letter as part of the embassy's effort to challenge hostile claims and repair France's public standing. ²

Levitte returned to the Élysée as President Nicolas Sarkozy's diplomatic adviser from 2007 to 2012. His later work included chairing the foundation council of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. ¹