Paul Mus
A French expert on Vietnam, born in French Indochina, who advised French leaders on dealing with nationalism, was an emissary to Ho Chi Minh, and remained an analyst of Vietnam.
When Jacques Leclerc became the French military commander for Indochina in September 1945, [1] Georges d'Argenlieu, French High Commissioner for Indochina, was fired by the French government, and replaced by Emile Bollaert. Mus became Bollaert's adviser. [2]
In May 1947, the French sent Mus to Ho, to carry a message of the French High Commissioner's conditions for a cease-fire and new meetings; Mus had no negotiating authority. [3]. From Ho's perspective, this was a demand for surrender, which they were not able to compel him with force. [4]. Ho responded, "There is no place in the French Union for cowards. I would be one were I to accept." [5]
References
- ↑ John T. McAlister Jr and Paul Mus (1970), The Vietnamese and their Revolution, Center for International Studies, Princeton University/Harper & Row,pp. 18-19
- ↑ Karnow, Stanley (1983), Vietnam, a History, Viking Press, pp. 158-159
- ↑ McAlister & Mus, pp. 20-21
- ↑ , Chapter 2, "U.S. Involvement in the Franco-Viet Minh War, 1950-1954" Section 1, pp. 75-107, The Pentagon Papers, Gravel Edition, Volume 1
- ↑ McAlister & Mus, pp. 20-23