Abstract
In this note to President Mitterrand, General Quesnot and Dominique Pin announce that the RPF is on the verge of obtaining a politico-military victory in Rwanda. They propose a strong military intervention in support of the Rwandan army, accompanied by firm diplomatic action.
Comment
General Quesnot, President Mitterrand's private chief of staff, told him that the RPF was about to win a "politico-military" victory. To prevent it, he offers him several options including withdrawal or direct intervention in the fighting. After a withdrawal of our troops, he believes, "President Habyarimana should not be able to remain at the head of the State". By this observation, Mitterrand's military adviser recognizes that Habyarimana's regime is only holding up thanks to the intervention of the French forces. This is what happens again in February-March 1993. In his analysis, General Quesnot once again confuses the Tutsi and the RPF. He is perfectly informed of the genocide in preparation on the Hutu side, writing: "The victory of the Tutsi ethnic group which leads the RPF would undoubtedly bring about a Hutu ethnic surge whose consequences could be dramatic". The strategy of deterrence by the strike force of machetes had indeed dramatic consequences that knew the head of PC Jupiter, triggering tool at the Elysée of the French nuclear force.