HOPES RISE IN ALGERIA

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 13

HOPES RISE IN ALGERIA

Reports Of Truce At Rocher Noir

(AZ. Press Assn.—Copyright)

ALGIERS, June 17. Hopes for an end to Algerian terrorism grew last night after unconfirmed reports of an agreement between the Secret Army Organisation (0.A.5.) and the Moslem Nationalists.

Usually reliable sources quoted by Reuter said the ,Q«A.S. policy-maker in Algiers (Mr Jean-Jacques Susini) had visited the administrative centre of Rocher Noir for talks with Moslem Nationalist leaders.

The O.A.S. is seeking guarantees of rights for Europeans remaining in an independent Algeria.

At the same time, a poss ble complication arose for the new Algerian State, expected to come into existence after a referendum on July 1. French military reports said that Moroccan Army units have invaded the Algerian Sahara and advanced 15 miles over the border

For some time both Tunisia and Morocco have laid claims to part of the Algerian Sahara, but agreed last year not to press their claims until Algeria is independent The American Broadcasting Company in New York said last night that a peace treaty ending the fighting had already been signed. The AB C Algerian correspondent said the Moslems had agreed to a general amnesty in Algeria for all

- O A S members However, r the Associated Press said a • French Government spokes- • man in Algiers had denied t the report In London, the "Sunday i Telegraph" said the French ? Prime Minister (Mr Pompi- . dou) had been told the sign- : ing of an agreement for immediate co-operation be- , tween Europeans and Mos- ■ lems in Algeria could be ' expected within about 24 I hours The agreement would _ be signed by Mr Susini and the Vice-President of the Algerian Provisional Government (Mr Belkacem Krim). The newspaper said officials t in Paris and Algiers were ? optimistic. ’ The British United Press said there was “reasonable • optimism’’ at Rocher Noir, > but no confirmation that • agreement had been reached 1 or was near. The agency

quoted one source as saying an agreement was practically concluded.

The effects of the agreement would be felt starting at the beginning of next week, the source said. The fact that there was no O.A.S pirate broadcast in Algiers last night, for the first time in a week, was seen as a favourable sign. It is generally expected that if the neeo'iaticns between the O.A.S. and the Nationalists succeed, the deal would be such as to reduce the panic exodus of Europeans that has robbed Algeria of professional men. skilled technicians. and administrators needed for a smooth transition to independence Mcslem officials at Rocher No-ir regard the exodus as more far-reaching in its implications for Algeria’s future than mass destruction But they insist that no “deal" would change anything in the Evian peace agreements. About 4500 persons, including 3700 civilian refusees, arrived in Marseilles today from Algeria. United Press International reported Most of the other 800 persons were Harkis and their families seeking a new life in France. Harkis are Moslem auxiliary troops who served with the French Army during the Algerian war. In Geneva today the International Committee of the Red Cross condemned attacks on hospitals in Algeria as “inexcusable” It called on all persons using force to spare the injured and the ill. Fires broke out today in three Algiers schools, two blocks of flats, a Moslem lodging house, a restaurant, a grocer’s shop, and several offices Two fires broke out in the Algiers Town Hall, scene of a big explosion on Friday which wrecked the building.