Western Alarm At Algeria’s Soviet Arms

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 11

Western Alarm At Algeria’s Soviet Arms

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) ALGIERS, October 29. President Ahmed Ben Bella, of Algeria, left Algiers by air at 5.15 a.m. today for Bamako, Mali, for talks with King Hassan 11, of Morocco, designed to settle their frontier conflict. The Associated Press reported from Marrakesh, Morocco, that Western embassies were alarmed by possible East-West implications of the conflict.

Already, shipments of Soviet arms were reported to be arriving in the harbours of Algeria. Officials said they were part of regular orders placed long ago.

Charges have been made by Algeria that American pilots have flown Moroccan troops to the battle area. The United States denied the charges, and President Ben Bella said he was satisfied with the denial.

Also attending the meeting in Bamako will be Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, who inspired the African Unity Charter, and President Modibo Keita of Mali. Western diplomats hope that the meeting will bring about a cease-fire in the desert fighting. But they doubt whether the meeting will solve any of the fundamental problems separating Algeria and Morocco.

The Moroccan King told his nation last nigh* that he intends to press for an adjustment of the frontier whicn. according to Morocco, was carved out artificially by France.

“We are going to Bamako animated by the w’ill to make the truth triumph, firmly

persuaded in the justice of our cause.” toe King said in a radio address.

President Ben Bella told his people by radio that he was optimistic for peace. The conflict had strengthened toe

country’s internal unity to the extent of bringing the Kabylia insurgents into line with nationalist views, ne said.

The President, who is due back in Algiers on November 1, to celebrate the ninth anniversary of the Algerian revolution, said that he hoped the day "will be a day of peace and newly found unity after toe misunderstanding with our Kabylia bnotiliers and the end of the Algeria-Morocco conflict."