27 JANUARY 1996, Page 25

Etiquette

Sir: My former colleague Charles Powell claims (`The Mitterrand I knew', 13 Jan- uary) to have spent more time in the com- pany of President Mitterrand than any other Englishman, in a 'generally non- speaking role'.

Since the OED defines 'company' as a gathering of people for social intercourse, perhaps it was more a matter of Charles being in the 'presence' of the President. Assuming, of course, that it wasn't the other way round!

John Weston

United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations, One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, USA