François Mitterrand calls Gabriel Matzneff to leniency.

François Mitterrand

Autograph letter signed to Gabriel Matzneff.

Two pages in-8 ° on header paper of the National Assembly.

Paris. May 17, 1966.

“I hope you stay the one who disputes: this is how we will defend freedom together. »»

Remarkable letter from the future president of the Republic defending himself with brilliant and friendship in the face of criticisms issued by Gabriel Matzneff within an article published in Combat. The friendship between the two men, born in the Mitan of the 1960s and marked by their literary loves, will continue until the death of François Mitterrand, in 1996.

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"Dear sir, I see that I continue to love better what you write that you don't like what I do. Will I tell you, however, that I judge your last somewhat summary appreciations? Maybe I should have explained my reasons earlier. I thought about it and blame myself today for not finding the time. Do not imagine me carried away by the current of daily political life. No doubt I was poorly organized: this lesson drawn I will always see great advantage of meeting you.

In my opinion, the violence of your last article harms the quality of the analysis. And why you, a sensitive writer and writer, seek so little to understand the mobiles of a responsible politician who to deal with the reality necessary, and not with complacency (act in exactly contrary sense had been easier to me), has the right to feel badly treated by those which he is close to it already must impose itself on a severe rule?

That said, I find it very unpleasant to you, among our friends, a lawsuit, simply because you have written what you thought. I hope you stay the one who disputes: this is how we will defend freedom together. And if you use this right with the concern of understanding before that of insulting I will be delighted to be able to remain cordially your François Mitterrand. »»