Former P.M. Claimed As O.A.S. Recruit

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29801, 18 April 1962, Page 15

Former P.M. Claimed As O.A.S. Recruit

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright)

ALGIERS, April 17. Leaflets circulating in Algiers today said that Mr Georges Bidault, the French Prime Minister in 1946 and from 1949 to 1950, had placed himself under the authority of the Secret Army Organisation leader, the former general, Raoul Salan. They said he had taken the leadership of the “National Council of Resistance in Metropolitan France.”

Mr Bidault disappeared from his Paris home last week. Newspapers reported that he had gone to Switzerland. Oran was paralysed by a strike of Europeans yesterday protesting against the death sentence on Edmond Jouhaud, local O.A.S. leader until his arrest. In Paris, a Justice Ministry spokesman said that Jouhaud would die by the firing squad and not by the guillotine if his death sentence was con r firmed. The question of a reprieve has to be considered on April 24. One of the former general's lawyers, Maitre Guy Perrussel, said at the trial that he would be guillotined if convicted, since he had been stripped of his commission and military honours—in other words, he would die like any condemned civilian. Today, the Justice Ministry spokesman said that since Jouhaud had been convicted both of offences against State security and common Jaw crimes, “Hie lesser punishment” —namely death by a firing squad instead of the guillotine—would apply. Under the Penal Code, the death sentence for crimes against State security is carried out by firing squad and for common law offences by guillotine. Justice sources said later the question of a reprieve for Jouhaud would be Considered on April 24 by the High Council of the Magistrature, over which General de Gaulle presides.

Battle In Oran Security forces battled for almost three hours with white terrorists in strikebound Oran yesterday, while O.A.S. bombs rocked Algiers. Confused street clashes in Oran's cliff-top European

quarter of Gambetta died down about midday, official sources said. The battle in Oran began when an O.A.S. commando attacked an armoury in an attempt to seize arms and weapons, the British United Press reported. The O.A.S. troops were driven off after a bitter fight with soldiers, security forces and armoured cars of the mobile gendarmes. In Algiers, the O.A.S. launched, a plastic bomb offensive against taxation offices, damaging three in different parts of the city within an hour. Terrorist violence took in all another 21 lives in Algiers and 22 persons were wounded in gun, knife and bomb outrages.

In Oran, the police prefecture issued a communique formally banning ci'tizens from standing or showing themselves on balconies. Security forces and troops have often been shot at by O.A.S. gunmen on balconies. A police swoop on the European section of Oran at dawn netted 25 arrests, Police said. A big haul of O.A.S. equipment, including an army lorry, six utility vehicles, radio sets and transmitters, arms and ammunition was also made. Pompidou Takes Control In Paris, the new French Prime Minister (Mr Georges Pompidou) and his day-old Cabinet took control of France’s Government yesterday. Mr Pompidou agreed at

once to act swiftly to restore order in Algeria, the British United Press reported. Last night, Mr Pompidou presented his Government to President de Gaulle at an Elysee Palace reception. General de Gaulle expressed "satisfiaction and confidence" in the new Government in a brief welcoming speech. The first full Cabinet meeting presided over by President de Gaulle would take place tomorrow, the British United Press said. Yesterday’s preliminary meeting was mainly a “getacquainted” gathering. But officials said it was agreed that public law and order in Algeria had been allowed to slide as a result of the Government reshuffle Quick action was needed to restore the Government's authority, particularly in Oran.