He went to university in Clermont-Ferrand, France, which has an exchange program with OU. He said he applied 15 years ago to study abroad here, but wasn't accepted. Instead, he went to London with his girlfriend (now his wife), so it all worked out. He said he was glad to finally get here, though.

Yonatan Reches, an OU student from Israel, asked Clouvel about the EU's stand on the Arab/Israeli conflict.

This controversial issue is a good example of the benefits of the EU. Instead of each European country bringing their own historical alliances and prejudices, the EU benefits from everyone's experience.

"So each of us, we can moderate each other, we can bring something," he said.

Moderator Mitchell Smith, associate professor of political science and international and area studies, asked the consuls whether the decline of the American dollar meant Europe's role was growing.

"I think it's already happening," Munzel said. "Europeans are playing a very big role in developing aid to Africa, for example."

Munzel didn't glory over the increased role, though.

"We are not really very happy with the decline of the American dollar, because we want you to buy our stuff," he said.

The Swiss consulate had a different opinion about the dollar's decline.

"It's very good for the Swiss banks," he said.

The dollar hasn't changed enough to let Europe supplant the role of the United States, British Consul General Paul Lynch said. Many countries think of the U.S. as the global police, and won't discuss or negotiate with other Western countries, he said.

"There's still a great need for the U.S. to be globally engaged," Lynch said.

Dr. Rodger Randle helped bring the dignitaries to OU.

Randle is a member of the Governor's International Team, which organized the consuls' trip to Oklahoma. As an OU-Tulsa human relations professor, his goal was to bring them to OU.

Julianna Parker