ALGERIAN PLANS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29016, 3 October 1959, Page 4

ALGERIAN PLANS

Room Seen For Compromise (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright! LONDON, October 1. The “Guardian” today submitted that there might yet be some room for negotiation and cimpromise between the French Government and the Algerian Front of National Liberation (F.L.N.) on Algeria’s future. After saying that the F.L.N. was bound to reject some of President de Gaulle's recent propositions for Algeria, the newspaper commented: “They refuse to lay down their arms unless they can first discuss with France political and military conditions for a cease-fire —something which the President has already refused to consider. "On the other hand, they have to reckon with the President’s confidence that France can stick out the conflict and with the favourable impression which he has made on many members of the United Nations. "This impression is the outcome of a genuine advance in French policy—Algeria’s right to determine her own future is nowset down not in vague phrases, but in black and white. Hence, the F.L.N. has in effect started to discuss at long range how self-determination should be carried out. “It wants United Nations supervision of a vote and the withdrawal of ‘one million occupation troops.’ France is not likely to agree to this, but the rebels are at all events not rejecting the principle of a referendum. “Again, the F.L.N. wants a guarantee that if Algeria chooses independence (‘secession’) she will not be partitioned and the Moslems cast adrift. “They are not likely to get satisfaction soon; but between partition and the limited home rule proposed by President de Gaulle, there may yet be room for negotiation and compromise,” it said.