Emmanuel Monick
Encyclopedia
Emmanuel Monick was a French politician and banker. He was appointed Governor of the Banque de France
during the liberation of France at the end of World War II, replacing Yves Bréart de Boisanger, Inspector of Finance in Vichy France
.
As the Secretary General of Finance in the Provisional Government of the French Republic
from August 29th to September 4th, 1944, he had to decide what to do about the gold that the Nazi Party requisitioned from the National Bank of Belgium
following the Second Armistice at Compiègne in 1940, which they later sold to the Swiss National Bank.
The 220 tons of gold were returned to the National Bank of Belgium
at the end of 1944 from the Banque de France
’s own reserves. Thanks to Emmanuel Monick's negotiating skills, the Banque de France
recovered 90 tons of gold and 250 million Swiss francs.
, Monick was awarded the Legion of Honour and the Croix de Guerre
with five palms and two stars.
During the interwar period
, he was a financial attaché in Washington where he established a great friendship with the French Ambassador to the United States, Paul Claudel
, and met Franklin D. Roosevelt
. After then being appointed as a financial attaché in London
, he met Winston Churchill
.
During World War II
, Emmanuel Monick was the Secretary General of the French protectorate of Morocco, which enabled him to prepare Operation Torch
(landings of U.S. troops in North Africa) along with the Consul General Robert Murphy and Chargé d'affaires
J. Rives Childs. Michel Debré
was his then chief of staff while Robert Marjolin
was his senior political advisor. After recognizing the relationship he forged with the United States, the Vichy government recalled him to France, with an order sent by cable from Otto Abetz
and requested by Joachim von Ribbentrop
. Thanks to his position as Secretary General of the French Protectorate of Morocco, he was able to save the lives of several Jews by helping them reach the United States.
Once back in France, Emmanuel Monick hid in Ain
and then in Paris, going by his resistance alias of "Bruere." He then participated in many resistance activities, especially with Michel Debré, as well as the liberation of the Ministry of Finance, at the request of Alexandre Parodi
. He became the Secretary General of Finance and participated in the Provisory Council of the Republic on August 25th, 1944 at Matignon.
After leaving his post as Governor of the Banque de France in 1949 (which caused some concern in the markets), due, among other reasons to disagreements with the government, Emmanuel Monick became President of the Bank of Paris and the Netherlands (which would eventually become BNP Paribas
), and was later Honorary President of the same bank.
When Charles de Gaulle
started to question the future of French institutions, he asked Emmanuel Molnick to arrange a secret meeting with the Count of Paris
, which took place on July 13th, 1954 at the count's home in Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines
. In an interview with Point de Vue's Image du Monde on the Count's 80th birthday, the Countess of Paris states that this was the first meeting between the two men. The Count of Paris gives his account of this meeting in Dialogue sur la France, Fayard, 1994.
During the summer of 1956, in the same fashion, Emmanuel Monick organized several discreet meetings between General de Gaulle and foreign heads of state, such as Mohammed V of Morocco
, or political figures such as the French President René Coty
.
Until the end of his life Emmanuel Monick was influential, respected and consulted by many in both the business world and the political world.
http://www.amazon.fr/Livres/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A301061%2Cp_27%3AEmmanuel%20Monick&field-author=Emmanuel%20Monick&page=1
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL5769995A/Emmanuel_Monick
http://www.banque-france.fr/fr/instit/histoire/grandes-dates.htm
http://www.academie-francaise.fr/immortels/base/publications/oeuvres.asp?param=676
http://www.webeconomie.com/politique/biographie-michel-debre-4-113.html
http://www.calames.abes.fr/pub/#details?id=Calames-200912141112536711317#culture=fr
Banque de France
The Banque de France is the central bank of France; it is linked to the European Central Bank . Its main charge is to implement the interest rate policy of the European System of Central Banks...
during the liberation of France at the end of World War II, replacing Yves Bréart de Boisanger, Inspector of Finance in Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
.
As the Secretary General of Finance in the Provisional Government of the French Republic
Provisional Government of the French Republic
The Provisional Government of the French Republic was an interim government which governed France from 1944 to 1946, following the fall of Vichy France and prior to the Fourth French Republic....
from August 29th to September 4th, 1944, he had to decide what to do about the gold that the Nazi Party requisitioned from the National Bank of Belgium
National Bank of Belgium
The National Bank of Belgium has been the central bank of Belgium since 1850...
following the Second Armistice at Compiègne in 1940, which they later sold to the Swiss National Bank.
The 220 tons of gold were returned to the National Bank of Belgium
National Bank of Belgium
The National Bank of Belgium has been the central bank of Belgium since 1850...
at the end of 1944 from the Banque de France
Banque de France
The Banque de France is the central bank of France; it is linked to the European Central Bank . Its main charge is to implement the interest rate policy of the European System of Central Banks...
’s own reserves. Thanks to Emmanuel Monick's negotiating skills, the Banque de France
Banque de France
The Banque de France is the central bank of France; it is linked to the European Central Bank . Its main charge is to implement the interest rate policy of the European System of Central Banks...
recovered 90 tons of gold and 250 million Swiss francs.
Biography
As a result of his participation in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Monick was awarded the Legion of Honour and the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with five palms and two stars.
During the interwar period
Interwar period
Interwar period can refer to any period between two wars. The Interbellum is understood to be the period between the end of the Great War or First World War and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe....
, he was a financial attaché in Washington where he established a great friendship with the French Ambassador to the United States, Paul Claudel
Paul Claudel
Paul Claudel was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat, and the younger brother of the sculptor Camille Claudel. He was most famous for his verse dramas, which often convey his devout Catholicism.-Life:...
, and met Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. After then being appointed as a financial attaché in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he met Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Emmanuel Monick was the Secretary General of the French protectorate of Morocco, which enabled him to prepare Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
(landings of U.S. troops in North Africa) along with the Consul General Robert Murphy and Chargé d'affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
J. Rives Childs. Michel Debré
Michel Debré
Michel Jean-Pierre Debré was a French Gaullist politician. He is considered the "father" of the current Constitution of France, and was the first Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic...
was his then chief of staff while Robert Marjolin
Robert Marjolin
Robert Marjolin was a French economist and politician involved in the formation of the European Economic Community.-Early life and education:...
was his senior political advisor. After recognizing the relationship he forged with the United States, the Vichy government recalled him to France, with an order sent by cable from Otto Abetz
Otto Abetz
Dr. Heinrich Otto Abetz was the German ambassador to Vichy France during World War II.-Early years:Abetz was born in Schwetzingen on May 26, 1903. He was the son of an estate manager, who died when Otto was only 13...
and requested by Joachim von Ribbentrop
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Ulrich Friedrich Wilhelm Joachim von Ribbentrop was Foreign Minister of Germany from 1938 until 1945. He was later hanged for war crimes after the Nuremberg Trials.-Early life:...
. Thanks to his position as Secretary General of the French Protectorate of Morocco, he was able to save the lives of several Jews by helping them reach the United States.
Once back in France, Emmanuel Monick hid in Ain
Ain
Ain is a department named after the Ain River on the eastern edge of France. Being part of the region Rhône-Alpes and bordered by the rivers Saône and Rhône, the department of Ain enjoys a privileged geographic situation...
and then in Paris, going by his resistance alias of "Bruere." He then participated in many resistance activities, especially with Michel Debré, as well as the liberation of the Ministry of Finance, at the request of Alexandre Parodi
Alexandre Parodi
Alexandre Parodi was a diplomat and the first ambassador of the France to the United Nations.-External links:**...
. He became the Secretary General of Finance and participated in the Provisory Council of the Republic on August 25th, 1944 at Matignon.
After leaving his post as Governor of the Banque de France in 1949 (which caused some concern in the markets), due, among other reasons to disagreements with the government, Emmanuel Monick became President of the Bank of Paris and the Netherlands (which would eventually become BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas S.A. is a global banking group, headquartered in Paris, with its second global headquarters in London. In October 2010 BNP Paribas was ranked by Bloomberg and Forbes as the largest bank and largest company in the world by assets with over $3.1 trillion. It was formed through the merger...
), and was later Honorary President of the same bank.
When Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
started to question the future of French institutions, he asked Emmanuel Molnick to arrange a secret meeting with the Count of Paris
Count of Paris
Count of Paris was a title for the local magnate of the district around Paris in Carolingian times. Eventually, the count of Paris was elected to the French throne...
, which took place on July 13th, 1954 at the count's home in Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines
Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines
Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France.-Site:The district of Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines is in the centre of the department and in the heart of the Forest of Rambouillet...
. In an interview with Point de Vue's Image du Monde on the Count's 80th birthday, the Countess of Paris states that this was the first meeting between the two men. The Count of Paris gives his account of this meeting in Dialogue sur la France, Fayard, 1994.
During the summer of 1956, in the same fashion, Emmanuel Monick organized several discreet meetings between General de Gaulle and foreign heads of state, such as Mohammed V of Morocco
Mohammed V of Morocco
Mohammed V was Sultan of Morocco from 1927–53, exiled from 1953–55, where he was again recognized as Sultan upon his return, and King from 1957 to 1961. His full name was Sidi Mohammed ben Yusef, or Son of Yusef, upon whose death he succeeded to the throne...
, or political figures such as the French President René Coty
René Coty
René Jules Gustave Coty was President of France from 1954 to 1959. He was the second and last president under the French Fourth Republic.-Early life and politics:...
.
Until the end of his life Emmanuel Monick was influential, respected and consulted by many in both the business world and the political world.
Works
- Tomorrow peace (Demain le paix) (with Michel Debré), Paris, Editions Plon, 1945
- For the record (Pour mémoire), Paris, Editions Mesnil, 1970
- Remaking of France (Refaire la France), written in secret with Michel Debré under their resistance aliases Jacquier (Debré) and Bruere (Monick), Paris, Plon 1945: They first sketched the institutional architecture of the French Fifth RepublicFrench Fifth RepublicThe Fifth Republic is the fifth and current republican constitution of France, introduced on 4 October 1958. The Fifth Republic emerged from the collapse of the French Fourth Republic, replacing the prior parliamentary government with a semi-presidential system...
in this work.
External links
http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/2005/06/HALIMI/12484http://www.amazon.fr/Livres/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A301061%2Cp_27%3AEmmanuel%20Monick&field-author=Emmanuel%20Monick&page=1
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL5769995A/Emmanuel_Monick
http://www.banque-france.fr/fr/instit/histoire/grandes-dates.htm
http://www.academie-francaise.fr/immortels/base/publications/oeuvres.asp?param=676
http://www.webeconomie.com/politique/biographie-michel-debre-4-113.html
http://www.calames.abes.fr/pub/#details?id=Calames-200912141112536711317#culture=fr