Police Know Men Who Ambushed De Gaulle

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29910, 25 August 1962, Page 11

Police Know Men Who Ambushed De Gaulle

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

PARIS, August 24.

Police believed they knew the identities of two of the men who attempted to kill President de Gaulle on Wednesday night, according to the French newspaper, “L’Aurore.”

The newspaper said no more on this point, but in an analysis of the police investigation it said the police had rounded up a number of French Army deserters who had recently entered France clandestinely.

They also had not ruled out the possibility of an accomplice at the Elysee Palace in Paris warning the desperadoes when the President left.

ity precautions to protect President de Gaulle’s life. The newspaper said senior officers admitted it was "child’s play” for the dozen O.A.S. killers who tried to assassinate the President to get away. The President’s escort car did not even have a radio to give the alarm. Its crew was prevented from chasing the would-be assassins. Their orders were to stick to the President whatever happened. And not a single policeman was posted at the crossroads near the Paris suburb of Clamart, where the ambush was staged, the newspaper said.

Five minutes after the shooting the first policeman arrived on the scene—by bicycle. He pedalled on as fast as he could to alert headquarters. The newspaper said the President was without his escort last night. Explaining the lack of protection, police said: “To pass unnoticed is often the best security precaution.”

In a similar analysis, “Paris Jour” said the most mysterious aspect of the ambush was how the armed men knew the itinerary of the Presidential cortege.

The disclosure that the President's car. unlike those of other heads of State, was not armour-plated and its windows not even bulletproof had also shocked the nation. Political observers in Paris

The itinerary taken by the Presidential convoy is decided at the last minute by the Elysee security service after consultation with General de Gaulle. Police headquarters is. in principle, not informed. Such was the case on Wednesday evening when the President’s car was ambushed near Villacoublay military airport. “Paris Jour” said. The hunt for the President's ambushers continued throughout France today, the British United Press reported. At least 2000 police and security troops are guarding the President at his family estate at Colombey-le-Deux-Eglises in case another attempt is made on his life.

French officials said that the attack, carried out by at least 10 m.en in two cars, must have been organised by commandos of the Secret Army Organisation. In London, the "Daily Mail” said France was shocked and baffled by the alarmingly inadequate secur-

believe that in spite of the confusion likely to arise if General de Gaulle should be killed, the chances of extremists seizing power in his stead would be slim because of the weight of public opinion.

Mr Khrushchev has sent a telegram to President de Gaulle on his escape. It said: "I express my feelings of indignation at the criminal attempt on your life. I wish you good health.”