Reference: London, Washington, Permis New York, Cairo, CCOS, NATO Paris (Priority) (Information).

ALGERIA

The Department has been considering what line should best be taken by our delegation in the debate and voting on the Algerian item when it comes before the UNGA. Until recently it had been feared that this item would be one of the most embarrassing on the agenda, confronting us with the alternative of withdrawing support from a friend and ally or appearing to support France regardless of the merits of the case and against the opposition of our Afro-Asian friends.

2. The recent initiatives by the French government in pressing on with General de Gaulle's plans for the solution of the Algerian problem have, in our view, made the situation a great deal easier. It is our understanding that the French program now envisages the following stages:

(a) A referendum which would enable the separation of the Algerian departments from metropolitan France and set up an interim régime which, while obviously not completely independent of France, would nevertheless be free to negotiate the conditions under which a fully independent Algerian republic could be established.

(b) The interim régime would make contact with the FLN to arrange a cease fire and the commencement of negotiations leading to the preparation of a referendum by the Algerian people on the future of Algeria.

(c) The holding of the referendum presumably in the presence of foreign observers.

(d) The establishment of a government of the fully independent Republic of Algeria and the determination of its relationship with its neighbors and with France (conceivably this might be included in the referendum).

3. Although the various elements in this program may well be juggled to suit the political situation in France, in Algeria and in the UN, it is our view that the process now begun is not reversible.

4. This program concerns Canada in two contexts; UNGA and NATO. So far as the UN is concerned, we consider that there are impressive indications that a solution fully consistent with the Charter is being worked out and that no other agency exists which is in as good a position as de Gaulle to promote this solution. The question for us, therefore, is to decide how the UN can best contribute to the solution of the Algerian problem which we now think is beginning to emerge along lines which we had hoped it would. In the NATO context, the question will eventually arise as to what should be the future relationship, if any, between the organization and “the Algerian departments of France” of Article 6 of the Treaty.

5. We should be grateful for any indication that you may be able to offer on whether our views of the future of Algeria are shared in your capital and what attitude the government to which you are accredited is likely to take in the discussion of this item at the UNGA.