Former French Ambassador Xavier Driencourt Reveals Behind-the-Scenes of Obtaining Secret Algerian Documents

Former French Ambassador to Algeria Xavier Driencourt revealed in his latest book, titled "Une diplomatie sans diplomates" (Diplomacy Without Diplomats), published in mid-October by Éditions Salvator, a dramatic incident in which he received classified Algerian state documents via an anonymous source, describing the scene as reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock spy film.

Nighttime Deliveries to the Private Residence

The French diplomat, who represented Paris in Algiers for two terms (2008–2012 and 2017–2020), recounted the details of a rainy night when an unidentified individual arrived at his private residence rather than the embassy building to drop off a special file. Driencourt initially assumed it was a personal visa request; however, after opening three nested envelopes, he was surprised to discover internal memos issued by the Algerian Presidency. The documents were dedicated to analyzing bilateral relations with France and contained detailed instructions addressed to the Foreign Minister in preparation for an upcoming bilateral meeting between the two nations.

The ambassador—who is regularly consulted by prominent French politicians, including Bruno Retailleau, Nicolas Sarkozy, and associates of Marine Le Pen—explained that he immediately felt alarmed upon reading the papers, wondering whether this was a maneuver by Algerian intelligence services to frame him on espionage charges, or if a leaker inside the El Mouradia presidential palace was seeking compensation. He noted that he had to sleep that night with the documents carefully concealed beneath his pillow to avert any risks while transferring them.

A Rare Phrase Confirms the Leak's Authenticity

The following evening, the ambassador received a second envelope delivered in the exact same manner without any demands for a meeting, this time containing a dossier from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Reading through the leaked texts, Driencourt noted the usage of a linguistic expression that is exceptionally rare and archaic in modern French.

Decisive confirmation of the documents' authenticity came only days later. During official talks with senior Algerian officials, the ambassador spotted the exact same folder resting on the counterpart's desk and heard the Algerian official utter the same rare phrase that had caught his attention earlier. This dissipated any suspicion of a disinformation ploy, confirming that the leaked documents were entirely genuine and accurate.

Driencourt did not disclose the identity of the source or their subsequent fate, simply concluding that the episode highlights the necessity of appointing ambassadors equipped with the temperament to navigate surprises and unpredictable situations in countries that maintain sensitive and intricate relations, such as Algeria.