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Banon: Confronting Strauss-Kahn Over Alleged Attempted Rape 'Won't Be Easy'

PARIS (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A French writer who accuses former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of trying to rape her in 2003 says she fears an upcoming legal face-off with him. But she considers it a victory that the judiciary will let each side give its version of events.

The face-off -- known as a "confrontation" in France -- is often used to help officials decide if a case is worth pursuing.

The Paris prosecutor's office is investigating Tristane Banon's attempted rape claims even after a similar case involving Strauss-Kahn and a hotel maid unraveled in New York.

Banon's said Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her while she was interviewing him in 2002 -- an incident her mother, a regional Socialist official, has said she discouraged her from reporting at the time but is now encouraging her to pursue.

At a rally Saturday, Banon admitted, "I'm afraid ... It won't be easy to face him."

No date for the confrontation has been set. Strauss-Kahn has denied Banon's claims. His lawyers have called Banon's account "imaginary."

Do you believe Banon? Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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