Political Tension High In Algiers

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

Political Tension High In Algiers

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright)

ALGIERS, August 24. Tension between the Algerian political and military leaders still ran high today over the seizure of the Algiers radio station by commandos of the Willaya (military district) Four.

A member of the Political Bureau of the National Liberation Front, Mr Mohammed Khider, told a press conference last night that if the guerrilla command did not give up the radio “we shall tell the people to take it." Mr Khider said Willaya

Four captured the radio on Wednesday night. He said that the Willaya had also said it would withdraw its candidates from the lists for next month's Parliamentary elections His statement came after violent rival demonstrations in the city. At one stage police barricaded themselves in the Government building in the forum and turned fire hoses on a crowd of 20.000 demonstrators, who smashed down the gates, stoned windows and tried to rush the building. The dominant feature of the demonstrations which eventually showed massive support for the Political Bureau—was the incessant cry for work, houses and bread

At another point, the Cite d'Orsette, a crowd of 8000 smashed cars in an outbreak of violence.