The New Algeria

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30065, 25 February 1963, Page 10

The New Algeria

Probably the most remarkable features of Algeria’s first seven months of independence have been the establishment of good relations with France and the growth of bickering with Tunisia, where the Algerian rebel “ govemment-in-exile ” had its headquarters. Algeria’s Prime Minister (Mr ben Bella) remains committed to a socialist form of administration; but economic stringency has forced him to moderate the pace of social reforms. Internationally, Mr ben Bella appears to be trying to steer a middle course that takes account of the Cuban crisis, the Chinese Communist attack on India, and conflicting trends both within Algeria and elsewhere in North Africa. His policy of strict “non-alignment” has led him to ban the Algerian Communist Party, and to assure investors that his Government will not sequestrate private property. He is attempting to secure additional financial aid from the United States and Western Europe. His agrarian programme envisages the distribution of abandoned land to Moslem

peasants who will work it co-operatively. Politically, he clings to a one-party system, into which even the Communists are being absorbed. But without French financial assistance his reconstruction of Algeria after eight years of war would almost certainly be impossible.

Algeria and France have not Deen reconciled easily. Little more than three months ago relations seemed to be deteriorating sharply.

Since then appeals on both sides for co-operation have borne fruit; and talk of revising the Evian agreements has stopped. The French National Assembly has approved this year’s allocation of £92 million for assisting Algeria; and other useful economic arrangements have resulted from the recent visit to Algiers by the French Minister for Algerian Affairs (Mr de Broglie). Inquiries are to be started into Algerian seizures of European property; where appropriate, compensation is to be discussed. French technicians are to be reinstated in the Algiers radio station, and French programmes will be reintroduced. A progressive reduction of French forces in Algerian bases enables France to devote more money to non-military aid and to cultivate the good will of the Algerians. Ironically, there has been a concurrent decrease of Algerian good will towards Tunisia; in January, because of a dispute over the asylum granted to a Tunisian political fugitive, President Bourguiba withdrew his Ambassador from Algiers. Subsequently the dispute was patched up; and Algerian, Tunisian, and Moroccan Ministers have met to discuss Maghrebi unity. This does not suggest, however, that all Algeria’s external or other problems will be quickly solved; rather, there lies before the new State a long period of economic, social, and political readjustment, in which France seems destined to play a far more prominent part than most observers only months ago expected.