UN General Assembly
1959

116. The recognition of the right of the Algerian people to self-determination is a decisive and important step. My Government sincerely hopes that this decision will be speedily and faithfully put into effect. It is all the more pleased to note this decision in that more than two years ago, speaking through the most authoritative voice in the country, that of President Bourguiba, it upheld the right of the Algerian people to self-determination, in a speech made over the National Broadcasting Corporation on 17 August 1957: "Recognition by France of Algeria's right to independence, or at the very least to self-determination, is still the only way in which an agreement may be reached between France and Algeria. France should take the initiative with, a sort of political declaration. I am sure that, if France made a statement to that effect, the Algerian nationalists of the National Liberation Front would agree to negotiate the stages and details of the way leading to self- determination, which should be given theoretical recognition in a definite statement."