BOUDIAF'S ARREST Il ALGERTA
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One year after independence, the Algerian government has announce for the first time the arrest of its political opponents, Boudiaf and three others. In a short statement: in the National Assembly, Ben Bella spoke of a conspiracy against the State.
Boudiaf was one of the leaders of the Algerian Revolution, arrested by the French authorities and detained together with Ben Bella seven years ago. When the crisis broke out last year. Boudiaf opposed Den Bella, refused to enter the Political UCureau, eni rejected a seat in the National Assembly although elected. Ee was cenerally considered as the main spirit behind the so-called Party of Socialist Revolution, although he disclaimed responsibility for the acvivities of that clandestine organization. After his arrest the Vrench paper Le Honde published a statement he had made a couple of days before ti: which Doudiaf condemns the measures talten by Ben Della as “doemarogic. and also alludes to the popular discontent in Algeria that could be exploited by the bourgeois right wing. He has, however, denied that he himself was engaged in any serious political activity.
‘These arrests took place a few days after there had been unrest in the army in the eastern towns of Constantine and ERE ypewt tie Detailed. information on these events is not available. :
All those who support the measures taken by the Alrerian fovernment to put Algeria on the road to socialism must recognize the right of this government to defend itself. It has been admitted by all
ial observers that the Algerian pe gees up to this point has
en no coercive measures “Sie political opponents, and this has
publicly stated by Den Bella and his colleagues on various
fons. If Boudiaf hos confined himself to political opposition Ts aig ite arrest would be a political mistake. If h®°is accused of
cipation in a conspiracy, he should be. ei a a sisal with ali fecilities ofa Sais legal defense, _
FREE HUGO BLANCO! “h -. June 12 , 1963 -- The “"Smmediate release" of Bugo