Jean van den Bosch

Jean van den Bosch (27 January 1910 – 15 December 1985) was a Belgian diplomat.

For other people named Jean van den Bosch, see Van den Bosch.
Jean van den Bosch
Van den Bosch in the Congo in 1960
Belgian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Baron
In office
4 July 1960 – 9 August 1960
Preceded byposition established
Personal details
Born27 January 1910
Ghent, Belgium
Died15 December 1985
Spouse(s)Hélène van den Bosch
Alma materCatholic University of Leuven

Biography

Jean van den Bosch was born on 27 January 1910 in Ghent, Belgium.[1] He received a doctorate in law from the Université catholique de Louvain in 1931. The following year he earned degrees in history and diplomatic political science.[2]

Career

Van den Bosch began his diplomatic career in 1934.[1] On 2 July 1960 van den Bosch arrived in Léopoldville, capital of the newly independent Republic of the Congo (formerly the Belgian Congo) to serve as ambassador.[3] Two days later he presented his credentials to President Joseph Kasa-Vubu.[2] In the subsequent Congo Crisis, Van den Bosch wanted to avoid a total administrative collapse and worked to ensure the retention of Belgian personnel in the civil service. In doing so he established contacts with ONUC, Congolese ministers in favor of a strong relationship with Belgium, and certain ministries (namely Finance, Economic Affairs, and External Commerce). He also communicated with the remaining Belgian civil servants who were anxious about serving in an administration that had the disapproval of the Belgian government, advising those in the employment of moderate ministers or the Presidency to continue their work while cautioning those attached to the "extremists" to avoid any undertakings that would harm Belgian interests.[4] Relations between Belgium and the Congo quickly deteriorated, however, and van den Bosch was accused by the Congolese government of instigating unrest throughout the country. He was ordered to be expelled from the Congo, but did not receive any notice until the morning of 9 August when a Congolese Foreign Ministry official informed him that he had until noon that day to leave. Facing a large crowd of angry Congolese, van den Bosch left the Belgian embassy under the escort of United Nations peacekeepers to the docks, where he took a boat to Brazzaville and from there flew back to Belgium.[5]

Citations
  1. Kay 1977, p. 641.
  2. Delcorde 2010, p. 196.
  3. Kanza 1994, p. 184.
  4. Willame 1990, p. 255.
  5. "Congolese Jeer Belgian Envoy On Departure". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Associated Press. 10 August 1960. p. 2.

References
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