Georges Watin; Plotted to Kill de Gaulle

Georges Watin, 71, whose attempt to assassinate Charles de Gaulle was the basis for the book and film “The Day of the Jackal.” Born in Algeria, Watin fought against independence from France and opposed President de Gaulle’s decision in July, 1962, to grant the North African country its sovereignty. On Aug. 22, 1962, Watin attempted to shoot de Gaulle as he was riding through Paris in his limousine, but missed. The assailant was condemned to death in absentia in 1963, but pardoned by an amnesty law in 1968. Watin fled to Switzerland, then Spain and settled in Paraguay in 1965. His meticulous preparations and his failed attempt to kill de Gaulle became the basis for Frederick Forsythe’s best-selling 1971 novel “The Day of the Jackal,” and the 1973 British-French film of the same title. On Feb. 19 in Asuncion, Paraguay.