Debre To Resign On Saturday

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29797, 13 April 1962, Page 11

Debre To Resign On Saturday

(N .Z J 9. A.-Reuter—Copyright) PARIS, April 12. A Government official confirmed last night that the French Prime Minister (Mr Michel Debre) would resign on Saturday. He would be replaced by Mr Georges Pompidou, a banker and close confidant of President de Gaulle.

Mr Debre is understood to have decided to submit his resignation mainly because of a disagreement with General de Gaulle about new elections Mr Debre. supported by a number of Cabinet Ministers, was strongly in favour of elections now. He considered that with the Algerian problem no longer a question of policy, but merely one of execution a new Govern-

ment programme was needed and that this called for a new legislature. In northern Algeria, 30 Secret Army Organisation iO A.S.) troops were killed in a battle with an Algerian rebel army (F.L.N 1 unit, informed sources said. Fifteen O.A S troops had been taken prisoner F.L N casualties were not known

The sources, quoted by the Associated Press, said the units clashed in the rugged Ouarsenis mountains. The O.A.S men were identified as members of a guerrilla unit under Colonel Jean Gardes, which had lost about 50 troops captured by French units in earlier clashes It was the first big clash between the OA S and the FLN since the March 19 cease-fire Jouhauc. On Trial

The trial opened in Paris yesterday of the former general Edmond Jouhaud. aged 57 He faces possible death sentences for both his part in the "generals’ putsch" in Algiers a year ago. and his role as second in command of the O.A.S in Algeria since then

In his address lasting 110 minutes he told the Court: “I knew very well when I went in to the OA S that one day I might have to answer for my actions

“I do not avoid the responsibility I accept responsibility for what mv men did "When I went underground I thought perhaps a miracle might be possible and also I hoped that the Metropolitan French people might understand us.” Of the killings, attacks on public buildings and bank hold-ups in the Oran area, he said: "There were excesses. it is true, and I regret that “But my role was essentially political, and when a commando is working underground without telephones, secretaries. or liaison officers, his orders are not always obeyed to the letter.”