ALGERIA’S FUTURE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29232, 16 June 1960, Page 13

ALGERIA’S FUTURE

De Gaulle’s Pledge

(Rec. 11 pjn.) PARIS, June 15.

President de Gaulle last night guaranteed personally that Algerians would have an entirely free choice in the future of their country. In a television broadcast he promised that all shader of opinion, including those favouring total independence, could take part in the campaign for an election.

In September, the President gave the choice as full independence, continued political integration with France, or semi-inde-pendence. including looser links with France.

Last night the President, who rose to power in 1958 partly on the hopes of Frenchmen that he would wind up the Algerian strife, maintained that the situation had improved. He said a problem that had existed for 130 years could hot be solved overnight, but he believed solution was closer now than ever. Those who Insisted on prolonging the strife would still manage to provoke some outrages, but the trouble was already waning, the President said. Everyone agreed that selfdetermination for ‘he Algerians was the only way. “It is guaranteed that the choice will be entirely free, that the reporters of the whole world will have full and entire freedom for noting it. and that all, yes all, shades of opinion will be able to take part in the discussions that will determine the conditions of the referendum, in the electoral campaign and in the control of voting.”