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André François-Ponçet<br />
1948-65<br />
André François-Ponçet served as a member of the Standing Commission from August 1948<br />
until October 1965 and served as Chairman between 1952 and 1965, having been re-elected<br />
in November 1957. 32<br />
During his tenure, he steered the Standing Commission through<br />
troubled waters and it is in large measure due to his wisdom and diplomatic skills that the<br />
International Red Cross was in such a strong position when he left in 1965 to become the<br />
Vice-Chairman of the League. As President of the French Red Cross (1955-1967), he<br />
deepened the international involvement of the French Red Cross, which contributed<br />
financially and promoted the cause of the International Red Cross. François-Ponçet began his<br />
career in the French Diplomatic service and was the French Ambassador to Germany (1931-<br />
38) and Italy (1938-40) 33 . In 1938, only weeks after British Prime Minister Neville<br />
Chamberlain signed the "peace in our time" Munich Pact with Hitler, François-Ponçet met<br />
Hitler before leaving as ambassador to Rome and initiated talks that led to the similar<br />
32 Standing Commission<br />
33 Standing Commission<br />
23
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