COMPENSATION FOR TUNISIA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28513, 17 February 1958, Page 9

COMPENSATION FOR TUNISIA

France Agrees In Principle fW.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) PARIS, February 15. The French Government today agreed in principle to pay compensation for civilian losses in last Saturday’s bombing raid on the Tunisian frontier village of Sakiet Sidi Youssef. A meeting of the Council of Ministers decided to ask the French Red Cross to get into touch immediately with the Tunisian Red Crescent to assess civilian losses with a view, to eventual compensation. The Secretary of State for Information, Mr Emile Claparede, who announced this, also said that there appeared to have been an easing of tension between Tunisia and France during the last 48 hours.

Mr Claparede said that all measures had been taken to ensure supplies for French troops in Tunisia for several days and the supply operation had already begun. The regrouping of isolated French posts was envisaged. France was ready to accept United States good offices directed towards a renewal of French and Tunisian talks but there was no question of accepting American arbitration, he said. Regrouping

Usually well informed sources in Paris said tonight that, within the framework of renewed negotiations with the Tunisians on the evacuation of the 14 000 French troops stationed in the former French protectorate, France might be ready to regroup her forces on Bizerta. But she wished to retain the use of four key airfields in Tunisia.

According to the sources. France was opposed to N.A.T.O. control of the naval base of Bizerta, as suggested by President Narib Bourguiba of Tunisia.