Bokassa was given asylum in France but others who upset Mr Foccart's plans had less pleasant exits.

ECONOMIST: Jacques Foccart

In 1966, President David Dacko of the Central African Republic was overthrown in a coup by Jean-Bedel Bokassa.

CNN: Thursday,

As the afternoon wore on, there were even reminders of the Central African Republic's troubled past under Emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa.

BBC: Defiant Jean-Pierre Bemba gets his day in court

He allowed Jean Bedel Bokassa, a former sergeant in the French army, to overthrow David Dacko in the Central African Republic in 1965.

ECONOMIST: Jacques Foccart

There was no more loyal follower of Papa de Gaulle, but after 14 years of barbaric misrule Bokassa was replaced by Mr Dacko, flown back to Bangui with an escort of 700 French paratroopers.

ECONOMIST: Jacques Foccart