Today's Date:

Dear Mr. Chairman,

Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your October 22, 2004 letter to President Chirac regarding the United Nations “oil for food” program. I have called your letter to the attention of President Chirac, and conveyed your concerns to him.

Be assured that the French authorities are working very closely with Paul Volcker, who chairs the UN commission investigating the oil for food program, to respond to allegations regarding French companies and personalities. Let me add that Mr. Volcker was in Paris last week, and he made specific requests to the French authorities. We are currently working to address them.

In order to address your specific concerns on this important issue, I would be very honored and pleased to have a meeting with you at your convenience.

In the meantime, let me enclose the French government statement on the United Nations oil for food program that was submitted to Chairman Shays after the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations hearing on this issue on October 5. This statement was included in the hearing record, and was conveyed to your staff as well.

(Complimentary close)./.

Jean-David Levitte

The Honorable Joe Barton
Chairman
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
2125 Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC 20515