French Prime Minister and socialist party presidential candidate Lionel Jospin (L), Culture Minister Catherine Tasca (C) and Deputy and Mayor Jean-Louis Fousseret (R) stand under a plaque at the birthplace of French novelist Victor Hugo during a visit to Besancon eastern France, February 25, 2002. [Jospin is in Besancon to mark the bicentenary of the birth of 19th century novelist Victor Hugo.]