Riot Threat In Algeria

Press, Volume C, Issue 29651, 23 October 1961, Page 11

Riot Threat In Algeria

(NJZ. Press Association-Copyright)

PARIS; October 22 The threat of new riots and demonstrations hong over Algeria and Metropolitan France today and heavy police reinforcements were standing by In both Paris and Algerian cities. Trouble is specially likely because today is the fifth anniversary of the French capture of Mohammed ben Bella, the Vice-Premier of the Algerian Provisional Gov. ernment. Five people were reported killed in clashes in Algeria yesterday—one in Oran and four in Algiers—and six nlastlc bombs went off in Paris. Reuter said reports had circulated that Moslem demonstrations were planned for today in Algiers to demand the release of ben Bella, who is now tn forced residence in France. The authorities' main fear was ’•provocation” by the extremist European Secret Army Organisation (0.A.5.). Some Europeans in Algiers

reported that, their Moslem domestic helpers had said they could not come to work tomorrow, as they had been told by the insurgent National Liberation Front (E.LN.) to remain at home and put out insurgent flags. Leaflets signed by the 0.A.5., circulated throughout Algiers yesterday, “ordered” Europeans to stay at home to. day. They said: “The F.L.N. has decided to show its strength throughout Algeria on October 22, and perhaps on October 27 and November 1. This manoeuvre must be thwarted.” The Associated Press said some 11,000 police stood on the alert in Paris for a possible new upsurge of trouble from Moslem throngs egged on by the provisional rebel Government in Tunis. Unrest among European settlers in Algeria rose to an unparalleled pitch, said the news agency. In homes, bars, and in meeting places there was talk of an armed fight to defend the settlers* position against a possible compromise between France and the Algerian nationalists.

Reuter said three violent incidents in the Algiers suburb ot El Biar last night brought the city’s death toll for the day to four, with 13 injured. A grenade tossed into a bar killed a Moslem and injured seven people, five of them Europeans. A car-to-car gun attack killed one Moslem and wounded five. Another grenade exploded in a cafe, injuring a European. Earlier in the day two Moslems died in separate gun affrays. In Oran, a Moslem knifed a young European woman last night Police used riot grenades to disperse a crowd of about 500 people who gathered as they arrested the attacker. Europeans have been banned from the Moslem section of Oran today, and Moslems from the European section, as an added security measure. Police have also extended the nightly curfew for two hours, and have banned all sporting events during the day. •*