FRENCH GOVERNMENT CRISIS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000900010004-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 30, 1999
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: September 21, 1957
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 20 IA-RDP79R00890A000900010004-3
NBC BRIEFING ~- 21 September 1957
FRENCH GOVERNMENT CRISIS
I. When French cabinet failed to agree on Algerian basic statute,
Bourges-Maunoury had unprecedented series of conferences with
parliamentary leaders on 20-21 September?
A. Conservative forces (Independents, Peasants, some Radicals)
fear a. federative Algerian assembly and a central Algerian
executive will lead to an independent Algeria.
B. Moderate left and center (Socialists, Popular Republicans)
disturbed at concessions premier has made to right on
proposed, statute.
C. Extreme right and left reject proposed statute for opposite
reasons,
1. Communists want independence for Algeria; Poujadists
oppose any concessions.
II. Compromise announced 21 September would postpone decision on
whether central executive would be elected or not,
VB
III, ourges-Ma.unoury cannot get an assembly majority, alternatives are:
A, Resignation of Bourges-Maunoury.
1. Premier's advisers reportedly recommend this course.
B. Defeat on confidence vote,
C. Vote of censure by deputies on current economic issue.
1. Use of economic issue to kill government (popular method
since World War Ii).
2, Would preserve some face by avoiding open admission o
national disunity on Algerian issue
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IV. Majority may depend on effectiveness of President Coty's present
efforts to sell need for "national, resolve."
A. President has not heretofore acted as forcefully as
predecessor Auriol.
B. Some possibility he may influence Independents to give ground.
V. Should he get by now, Bourges-Ma.unoury must face new, tougher
fight in one-two months.
VI. Little speculation so far on possible successors.
A. Defense Minister Morice and Jacques Soustelle, former Governor
of Algeria, have been mentioned.
1. Both of these appear too committed to nationalistic
attitude on Algeria..
B, Another prolonged search would be likely, ending with a
center or possibly a Socialist premier.
Approved For Release 2001/03/04: CIA-RP79R00890A000900010004-3