Evening star., 1962-01-16
France Studies Harsh Measures
To Curb Algerian Terrorism

wounded IN combat between
European and Moslem terrorist
organizations.
Louis JOKE, French Minister
for Algerian Affairs, met with
the territory's top. officials at
the new seaside administrative
center Of Roche- Noir, 80 miles
from Algiers.
They were reported to be
discussing the possible procla-
nation of a state of seige.
which would clamp tighter re-
strictions on Algeria's already
closely regulated civil life.
Top Officials Confer
Officials at the meeting in
cluded Delegate Gen. Jean
NORM, three regional inspec-
tors general and the projects
of all Of Algeria's II depart
ments (counties).
The days events included a
daylight holdup of an Algerian
bank by five heavily armed
Europeans. They escaped in a
motor car with the equivalent
of $4,000. This may have been
nothing more than an ordinary
crime, but in the tense atmos-
phere Of Algiers it was immedi-
ately assumed the Europeans
were robbing the bank on be-
half Of the rightwing French
Secret Army Organization.
In Oran, three Europeans were
slain and another wounded in a
series of attacks attributed to
Moslems on the rebel National
Liberation Front.
In Algiers, two Moslems were
wounded by bullets fired by
European terrorists. In Bone,
a young Moslem was injured
by the explosion of a plastic
bomb. In MoStaganem, near
Oran, two Moslems working for
the French were wounded by
gunfire.
Civilian and military officials
IN a manifesto last night called
on Europeans and Moslems to
"say no to murder and terror
ism"
Unless bloodshed and terror
are stopped, the manifesto said,
measures will be taken that
would limit the exercise of
public freedom and constrict
your lives"
Government sources said the
authorities are ready to pro-
claim a state of siege-even if
it means further disruption of
Algiers' economic life-to COM s
bat the terrorism by both
Europeans and Moslems.
Warning Broadcast
Among the measures under
consideration are a paralyzing {
curfew, the closing Of bars and \
cafes, and heavy restrictions on 4
the movement Of cars.
Let it be known that the {
government will never abandon s
it's mission to protect the popu- {:
lation," the declaration said. I
The warning was to be broad
cast over Algiers radio through I
out the day and to be published I
in the city's two daily news
papers. .,.-..s~
It was issued after another
evening of death and violence.
Between $50 and $3.50 pm,
seven persons were killed and
nine wounded in grenade and
submachinegun attacks in Al
gierS. ....
Terrorism ffared in other
parts of Algeria, striking towns
and villages from east to west. {
Unofficial figures showed at
least II persons were killed
and about 40 wounded in Hi
cities and towns.
Word of True Awaited 9
Meanwhile, French army and
police officers were informed
that secret contacts between {
the French government and the
Algerian rebel regime were
progressing, and that a cease
fire announcement was possible
in the near future. !
Official sources said that i'm {
portant headway has been
made toward a compromise in
the last few days although ,
differences remain on the ques-
tiop of nationality for the ,
European minority in an inde-
pendent Algeria. and the length
and nature of a transition
period before Algerian inde- ]
pendence.
Authorities feared that If an
accord with the rebels is an
nounced, the right-wing Euro
pean Secret Army Organization
would attempt to block it by
creating chaos and disorder in
the country.
Officials believe that the !
cities where major clashes may {
occur are Algiers, Bone, and {
Philippeville in central and
eastern Algeria and Oran,
Mostaganem and Sidi-Bel-
Abbes in the west.
All these cities have a heavy
proportion of European settlers
supporting the right-wing un-
derground.
d Exposure Threatened
with the government and
the army so far virtually pow
erless against the Secret Army,
a. clandestine organization of
French army draftees threat
ehed to expose agents and SYM
ypathizerS of the right-wing
European underground. Virtu-
ally all the drafteeS in the
French army are from Metro
politan France. t
Tracts of the conscript group
called on draftees serving in
Algeria to prepare your lists"