751S.00/12–654
Memorandum of Conversation, by William Fisher, Office of Western European Affairs
Subject:
- Summary of Conversation Concerning Algeria
Participants:
- Mr. Abderrahmane Fares
- AF—Mr. Utter
- WE—Mr. Tyler
- WE—Mr. Fisher
The following are the key points of a rather extensive conversation with Mr. Fares, recently President of the Algerian Assembly and perhaps one of the most intelligent of the Algerian Arab leaders.
Federation as the Solution
Mr. Fares said that in the future Algeria must follow one of two courses, either assimilation with France or autonomy. The present unique status of Algeria, set up immediately after the war, straddled the issue. He said that by assimilation he meant Algeria having full representation in Paris in proportion to its population which in effect would give the Algerians the equivalent of about 120 seats in the present National Assembly. If France were to choose the policy of assimilation with all of its overseas territories and follow it through to its logical conclusion the result would be that the overseas territories would govern France. As this was out of the question, he said that he felt the answer lies in autonomy and the development of a Federation very similar to that of the United States of America. Only through a Federation where Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and the other overseas territories as well as France itself would have full autonomy over a large measure of internal affairs but at the same time would look to a revised Assembly of the French Union that had real powers for decisions in those areas which were reserved to the Federal Government, would it be possible to develop real and lasting solutions.
Prospects for Progress
The principal obstacle to the development of a revised French Union along Federal lines was the older conservative elements in France. He said that the older leaders in France simply did not understand the situation but that men like Mendes-France, Mitterand, Roche, Schuman, and the Socialist leaders understood the situation and the requirement for a real evolution in basic relationships between [Page 402] France and the overseas territories and dependencies. He mentioned that the old guard radical Socialists, such as Queuille and Martinaud-Deplat were the worst of the lot, particularly because they had no understanding of the situation and were also representatives of the colons in North Africa. He mentioned Pelabon as one of his closest friends and as one of those who best understood. He said that the present Governor General of Algeria, Leonard, had learned very much and now seemed to understand the need for evolution. He said that the great majority of Algerians definitely saw evolution and not revolution as the answer and were aware of Algeria’s dependence on the metropole and the need for continued close ties with France.
Recent Developments
Fares said that some weeks ago the MTLD split over the question of violent action was timed with UN consideration of the North African questions. The intellectuals in the MTLD refused to go along on the timing and the other elements were responsible for initiating the terroristic activities. Poverty and misery in the Aures region inspired by Arab League elements resulted in a receptivity to action against authority. Ever since the Roman days the inhabitants of this region had revolted about every five or six years. The rest of the population in Algeria is not in sympathy with the revolt and were looking to evolutionary process for the fulfillment of their aspirations.
Radio Broadcasts from Cairo, Tetuan and Budapest
Fares said that these broadcasts make no impression whatsoever on the Algerian population. They are seldom listened to. He said that the Tunisians were probably influenced to a certain extent because they tended to look to the East and to Egypt whereas the Algerians considered themselves superior to the Egyptians and consequently did not look in the same manner to the East. He said that the Moslem religion made it extremely difficult for Communism to make any inroads; and with regard to Algerians in the metropole who had participated in Communist activities, this was due to miserable employment conditions. He said that the government about two years ago had recognized this problem and were [was] working to alleviate these conditions.
Visit to the US
He was tremendously enthusiastic about every aspect of his visit to the United States, discussing in particular the striking similarity between parts of California and the area around Phoenix to his native Algeria. He also had been impressed by similarities between the Indians he had seen on certain reservations and certain Algerians. He expressed the hope that many more Algerians could visit the United States.
- This memorandum of conversation was prepared on Dec. 9.↩