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Bush picks new ambassador to France

WASHINGTON, April 12 (AFP) – US President George W. Bush plans to nominate Craig Roberts Stapleton to be the new US ambassador to France, replacing Howard Leach, the White House announced Tuesday.

Stapleton, whose nomination would require US Senate confirmation, served as US ambassador to the Czech Republic until late 2003.

Before taking his posting in the Czech Republic, Stapleton served for 18 years as president of Marsh and McLennan Real Estate Advisors in New York.

If confirmed, he would become ambassador at a time when US-France relations still seek to recover from a deep rift over the US-led war in Iraq.

Leach presented his credentials as US ambassador to France on September 4, 2001.

© AFP

Subject: French News