POSITION OF SOUSTELLE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28619, 23 June 1958, Page 11

POSITION OF SOUSTELLE

“At Disposal Of De Gaulle”

(Rec. 10 p.m.) PARIS, June 21. Mr Jacques Soustelle, a former French Governor-General of Algeria, told a press conference yesterday he was, as he had always been, at the disposal of General de Gaulle and his Government. Mr Soustelle had been questioned on reports that General de Gaulle might give him the post of Minister for Algeria or that of representing France at the United Nations and N.A.T.O.

It was reported earlier this month that General de Gaulle had promised Mr Soustelle, a former Gaullist Deputy and righthand man of the General, a high post. His absence from the Cabinet caused dissatisfaction among members of the Public Safety Movement in Algeria and disappointment among French settlers there.

Yesterday Mr Soustelle called for union around the Government of the Republic and confidence in General de Gaulle. Questions of personalities, he said, were not interesting.

He called for greater understanding in Metropolitan France of events in Algeria. He said the “bloodless revolution” which had occurred in Algeria constituted a great chance for France. It had opened the way for renewal and fraternity between the European and Moslem populations.