The American Denise Campbell Bauer takes office in Paris in the midst of an international crisis. Excerpts from our interview.
Paris Match. What mission did President Biden give you when he appointed you Ambassador of the United States to France last July?
Denise Campbell Bauer. Joe Biden is a big supporter of the transatlantic alliance and firmly believes in the need for good relations between France and the United States. This is a subject that we have often discussed. In the short term, given the tragic and worrying situation caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine, the priority must be national security and trade. But it is also essential to work together on environmental issues, an area in which France is a pioneer. This is a priority for me, personally, and it is also one for my president. (…)
Also read: For Biden, Putin is a “war criminal”, new bombings… update on the war in Ukraine
Barely named, you find yourself plunged into this situation, undoubtedly the most serious that Europe has known since the Second World War. How do you live it?
Like most people, the humanitarian tragedy breaks my heart. Beyond these considerations, this reminds us all how vital the transatlantic alliance is, and how important our partnership with France, which plays a major role, is. The French president is sparing no effort to try to find a peaceful solution. We must continue to follow this diplomatic path, the only one possible. (…)
Are Franco-American diplomatic relations still suffering from the controversial decision of the United States to sell nuclear submarines to Australia, killing an important French contract in the process?
This unfortunate case reminded us how much more we need to talk to each other. The Ukrainian crisis has accelerated the restoration of communication channels. From my point of view, and I hope from that of the French government, there is no shadow between us. We have a long history together, especially in other troubled times…
Find the full interview in Paris Match n°3803 from March 24 to 30, 2022