On 28 May, Birzeit University officials welcomed Minister Andre Rossinet, the Minister of Civil Service of the French Government for a meeting to discuss French commitments to support the newly established Law Center at the University. Minister Rossinet (center in picture below) was accompanied by Professor Maus, the Director of the International School for Public Administration in Paris, and French consular officials.

The French delegation met with Board of Trustees members Dr. Anton Tarazi and Mr. Ibrahim Dakkak, in addition to University administrators, including VicePresident Dr.lbrahim Abu Lughod and Assistant Director of the Law Center Dr. Ghassan Faramand.

Dr. Camille Mansour, Professor of Political Science and International Law at Paris I University, will be on campus in the next academic year to direct Birzeit University's new Law Center. The first year of the Law Center promises to be a busy one, as projects in teaching, documentation and training will be initiated, with the goal of serving and upgrading Palestinian legal professionals to meet new challenges.

Earlier in May Dr. Mansour and Dr. Faramand, along with University officials, had met Professor Yves Shmail and French consular officials. "The discussions were fruitful," reported Dr. Faramand. "We highly appreciate French assistance in such vital areas as staff, book acquisition, equipment, and other infrastructural matters at the critical take-off point for our Center." The Center has also undertaken projects in cooperation with the Paris Bar Association, including two seminars scheduled for September 1994, in which French legal experts will present topics on administrative law and international commercial contracts.

During an earlier visit to France in January, Dr. Faramand met with officials of several French universities and research institutes.