Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-20
Arabs Toasted
As KhrushcheV
Rebuffs French
MoIIet's TuIks Fail
To Win Soviet Aid
On Algerian Issue

MOSCOW, May 10 (R.-The
French and Russians ended four
days of haggling talks tonight
with the signing of a commune
que which demolished French
hopes of winning any Soviet
support in their struggle with
Algerian rebels.
The signing ceremony, delayed
more than four hours by wrang-
ling over North Africa, followed
a gala Kremlin reception at
which Communist Party Secre-
tary Nikita Khrushchev bluntly
proposed a toast to "the Arabs
and all people struggling for ma
tional independence" Sovie t
Premier Nikolai Bulganin Joined
in the toast.
The communique. IN compare
lively pallid language, declared
the Soviet hope that France
would be able to solve its Alger-
ian problem sin the spirit of our
epoch and in the interest of the
peoples"
Unable to Reach Accord
It also acknowledged that Pre-
mier Guy Mollet and Foreign
Minister Christian Pineau had
been unable to reach agreement
with the Russians on "the means
of settling European problems. "
But the communique said both
governments were pledged to
continue trying to settle import
ant issues, and added
They are convinced tn a
thanks to their efforts and to the
efforts of other governments i.
international truth will be re-
established. the cold war will be
finally liquidated, the ornaments
race stopped-and thus the peo-
pies will be freed of the threat
of new war"
Mr.. Mollet told newsmen the
French and Russians had only
an exchange of views on Algeria,
adding: 1T is a French problem. "
Had No Illusions
Mr.. Mollet said he had abb
solutely no illusions that today
the French governments dele
cation would leave its negotia-
tons with the government Of
the Soviet Union with important
agreements in its baggage.
But / think We have ended
the immense lack Of confidence
the Soviet government had in
the West" he continued. I'VE
are happy with our mission and
how it has come out"
Asked about divided Germany,
Mr.. Pineau said "the government
of France thinks the reunifica-
ton of Germany is a vital factor
for the preservation of peace in
Europe. but the Soviet govern
ment does not yet think so. That
is our difference at present"
Mr.. Mollet addressed the Rus
sian people in a 10-minute speech
over the Moscow radio. He said
the French want the most free,
most direct, and most sincere
contacts established between
them and you"
Other Items Discussed
The communique on the talks
with Mr.. Khrushchev and Pre-
mier Bulganin also contained
sections on disarmament. eco
nomlc assistance to underde-
veloped countries, the Middle
East and Southeast Asia.
The two countries released a
declaration on the development
of French Soviet commercial re-
lations and another one on cul-
tural contact.
In the section on disarmament
the joint declaration said "the
French government recognizes
the Importance of the decisions
adopted by the Soviet govern
ment to reduce its armed forces
and its ornaments unilaterally
1t would appear perfectly natural
that this would aid the progress
of negotiations which are now
going on concerning disarma-
ment."
This section looked like a hint
that both countries would like
to see top-level talks on dis
armament between the United
States and Russia.
Annoyed by Request
An authoritative French source
said the Soviet leaders were an
noyed by a persistent French re-
quest for an expression of Soviet
sympathy with French difficult
ties in Algeria where the bulk of
a French force of more than 300,-
600 men is fighting Nationalist
rebels.
Possibly piqued by this persist
ence. Mr.. Khrushchev loudly
toasted the Arabs before Mos
cows assembled diplomatic corps.
When some people tell me
there are nations not grown up
enough for self-government I
laugh at them" Mr.. Khrushchev
said. IF you make a microscopic
analysis you will find there is no
difference in the bloods of Arabs,
Russians or any other people"