Central Intelligence Bulletin- 1960/02/01

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III. THE WEST
The French-Algerian, fituation
French Army forces in Algiers have responded to
De Gaul1e's call and now appear prepared to take any ac-
tion ne-cessary against the settler insurgents to restore‘
order. De Gaul1e’s replacement on 31 January of his lo-
cal commander in Algiers, General Gracieux, who re-
portedly was engaged in informal negotiations with the
rebels, was probably a move" to demonstrate that he will
not temporize with the insurgents. The present attitude
of the army, together with the departure from the barri-
cades on 31 January of about 200 insurgents--members of
the Home Guard who have been the target of special appeals--
appears to have seriously damaged morale inside the barri-
cades. Local commanders will continue reluctant to take
offensive action as long as they see a possibility that a show
of force might induce a large number of the insurgents to
give up their struggle.
Early on 31 January there were indications that the army
was preparing for possible" action against the insurgents‘ bar-
ricades. The effects of these preparations were partially neu-
tralized, however, by large-scale street demonstrations in
favor" of the insurgents. At one time the mobs demonstrating
outside the barricades reportedly numbered over 10,000, and
two groups of extremists, totaling about 1,000, broke through
the army cordon to join the insurgents. The first indication of
dissidence among the insurgents came later in the day, when 41
members of the Home Guard left the barricades under a flag of
truce in response to the army's orders to report to their units.
Leaders of the Moslem rebel National Liberation Front
(FLN), now in Tunis, are concerned that, over the long term,
De Gaulle's firm support of Algerian self-determination may
undercut popular support for the rebels. In conversation with
American officials, they have stated they have no desire to
"weaken" DeGaulle. On 30 January, however, rebel Premier
Ferhat Abbas instructed Algerian Moslems to "remain. entirely
apart" from events in Algiers.
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1 Feb 60 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4
Approved for Release: 2020/03/13 C03157411