TWO REMINDERS BY THE FLN The vast majority of the Algerian workers in France are members of the French Federation of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN). It recently issued the following documents, which we are glad to reproduce here :
COMMUNIQUE After having examined the situation created by the formation in Algiers of a so-called Committee of Public Safety and the repercussion that this might have in France, The French Federation of the National Liberation Recalls that it has never ceased to emphasize the possibilities which the barbarous war waged against our heroic people might offer to the colonialist circles for establishing a regime that would suppress democratic liberties in France endanger world peace. Reaffirms that the refusal by the political and trade-union organizations of the working class, in the very interest those they represent, to bring about the independence of our country, today drives them into a defensive position. Expresses its profound conviction that the Algerian emigration could not remain passive — without renouncing the revolutionary and democratic spirit that inspires it — toward events that may put its very existence at stake. Considers that the presence of 400,000 Algerians on the soil of the oppressing country gives them the obligation deliberately to align withselves with demonstrate in action their willingness to put an end to the war in Algeria by recognizing its independence. Proclaims that the present situation shows the necessity of the junction between the French anti-colonial movement and the Algerian emigration in order to hasten the solution of Assuming its responsibilities before history and before the the Federation of France of the FLN declares itself ready to make the necessary contacts with a view to studying concretely the modalities of joint action.
FEDERATION OF FRANCE OF THE FLN Paris, 20 May 1958 TO THE FRENCH ANTI-COLONIALISTS
France has been profoundly shaken by our people's revolutionary war of liberation.
The events of the month of May show very clearly that the war of colonial reconquest is in a complete impasse.
The present French government, just like its predecessors, envisages, as the only way out, total war and an increased military effort which will still further deepen the internal French crisis.
The acknowledged complicity of certain leaders of the
French Left, the passivity of others, and the indifference of the French people in general, have permitted the continuation for four years of the unjust war of Algeria. Those who, in their doctrine and their principles, pretended to be anti-colonialist, have disavowed themselves and have in fact acted acording to the deep wishes of the reactionary circles. Today the bluff of "integration and equality," even lemocratic egalitarianise is basicaly ony another atlemocratic egalitarianism, tempt to keep our people under a new-style colonial yokend the big circus-spectacle of the organized demonstrations, the dictated declarations, and the parades of the greatest colonial army ever sent to Africa (and incapable of winning), there is a reality: the Algerian soil is slipping from under the feet of the colonialists and their mercenaries. The policy of the status quo expressed by the new phrase, "Français à part entière," deliberately denies our passionate determination to live as Algerians in a country which can be only a free and independent Algeria. By our tenacious and heroic struggle, way to liquidation. Therefore deGaulle has transferred all powers to the French army. In Algeria, there remains now only an occupation army contronted by a people fighting for its independence, and in this context of war, the elections being prepared by the deGaulle government can be nothing but a masquerade. In France, an evolution seems to be taking place. Many have now understood that without the strong pressure of our National Liberation Army upon the army of colonial reconquest, the latter would not have failed, during the recent events, to launch itself into a bloody coup de force in France. To these the Federation of France of the FLN recalls that: the struggle for the maintenance of their liberties in France must necessarily be associated with their struggle for Algerian independence, and an independent Algeria is the best pledge for the liberty of the French As for the Algerian people, relying above all upon itself, it will continue its fight until the restoration of its national independence. The experience of the last few years has only reënforced its conviction that liberty is for those who fight for it, and who know how, if
FEDERATION OF FRANCE OF THE FLN Paris, 3 July 1958