Ben Bella Taken To Hospital

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 15

Ben Bella Taken To Hospital

(N.ZJ’.A.-Rc*i£«t— Copyright) PARIS, November 14. Mohammed Ben Bella, the detained Algerian insurgent leader, and two companions, moved “against their will” from the Loire Valley chateau where they have been on a hunger strike for 13 days, arrived early today at a hospital at Garches, between Pans and Versailles.

A convoy of eight ambulances, escorted by police cars and motor-cyclists, drove through the night from the Chateau de Turquant ir spite of bad weather. About 300 riot police sealed off Turquant village before they left Other police cleared the road to

Garches and guarded the hospital. Usually well informed sources said prison officials and the local Prefect tried to persuade Ben Bella, Ait Ahmed and Mohammed Khidder to leave the chateau, but they would not. A lawyer for the Algerians said the argument ended when some 20 police forced their way into the room. “To avoid an Incident they finally agreed to go,” the lawyer said, “but it was against their will.” Ben Bella and his companions have been on a hunger strike in sympathy with a similar strike by other imprisoned Moslems demanding treatment as political prisoners for an estimated 15.000 Algerians gaoled or interned in France.

Tunnel Talkau—The French and British Governments will bold preliminary discussions in Paris this week on proposals to link the two countries by bridge or tunnel, ft was announced last night— London, November 14.