ALGERIA PEACE PLAN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28987, 31 August 1959, Page 11

ALGERIA PEACE PLAN

PLEDGE BY DE GAULLE

“New Era For Algeria”

(Rec. 11 p.m.) ALGIERS, August 29.

The French President, General de Gaulle, today promised “a new era” for Algeria when the work of “pacification” is over. He spoke on the town hall steps in the front line town of Tebewsa near the Algerian border. He is now on the third day of a tour of inspection of French military posts in Algeria. In the area is the 150-mile electrified wire fence which was erected by the French to prevent Algerian rebels, based in Tunisia, from raiding frontier posts. The French Army announced yesterday that rebels had made a number of attacks on border posts in the area over the last few days, but had been beaten back with losses. General de Gaulle visited central Algeria yesterday, and talked to troops of all ranks. He emphasised that “we must pursue, complete and finish the pacification" of Algeria.

“After that,” he added, “a new life will open up, and then the Algerians must freely decide their own destiny." In his speech from the town hall steps, the President said: “I do not disguise the cruel and painful conditions in which you have been living here for years. I am sure I express the thoughts of all of you when I say that our first preoccupation—that which we want to achieve first — is peace. “Afterwards, a new era will begin. It has begun for France. It will open for Algeria. The Algerians will decide their destiny for themselves. That is a necessity. “Difficulties and delays certainly remain to be overcome. What counts in the end is the goodwill of men.” French military sources in Algiers said that legionaires and paratroopers taking part in a large-scale operation in the rugged Kabylie mountain region had killed 25 insurgents and captured three in a recent clash. Troops also arrested 15 members of an insurgent political organisation and seized 13 weapons.