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University Daily Kansan
Friday, Feb. 24, 1961
Bourguiba Is Key To Algerian Peace
By Phil Newsom UPI Foreign News Analyst
Perilously, and with many a pitfall still to be avoided, prospects continue to brighten for a negotiated peace in Algeria.
If an end to the fighting which has gone on for more than six years and cost more than 100,000 lives is achieved, it will be a tribute to the patience and determination of President Charles de Gaulle, with a strong assist from another who has managed to remain on friendly terms both with France and the Algerian rebels.
That other is President Habib Bourguiba of Tunisia.
AMONG MOSLEMS, the voice of the 57-year-old Bourguiba has been the moderating influence, frequently bringing down on his own head the wrath of other Arab leaders whose fiery condemnations of France stirred passions but contributed nothing to the prospects of peace.
President Gamal Abdel Nasser of the United Arab Republic once accused him of being one of the last agents of imperialism among Arab leaders.
To this, Bourguiba replied that his interests were with the West and would remain so.
As De Gaule moved toward his ultimate goal of an "Algerian Algeria," and Bourguiba urged Moslem cooperation in the referendum by which De Gaule sought approval of his independence program, Nasser and other Arab and African leaders met in Casablanca to condemn it.
The referendum could in no way commit the Algerian people, they said.
But as the referendum passed successfully, and as Bourguiba persisted in his plea for moderation on both sides, the prospects for peace suddenly brightened appreciably.
AT THE SAME time, Bourguiba's middleman role assumed even greater importance.
Cautious conferences between France and Tunisian leaders appeared this week to be opening up the possibilities of an Algerian cease-fire with no loss of face either to De Gualle or to the rebels.
If such can be accomplished, then both De Gaulle and the rebels will owe a debt of gratitude to Bourguiba.
There remain many problems which could erase the first feeble hopes for Algerian peace. They include rebel reluctance to agree to a cease-fire while the powerful French army still remains in Algeria. They also include the means by which De Gualle means to protect Algeria's European minority in the event of independence.
But at least a start is being made.
Thailand Cautions Burma, Takes 'Strong' Security Steps
BANGKOK, Thailand — (UPI) — Thailand warned Burma today it is taking strong security measures to prevent any more air or ground battles between Burmese forces and Nationalist Chinese guerrillas in Thai territory.
Fifty Burmese soldiers were reported to have shot up a Thai border village earlier this week.
Two weeks ago a Burmese fighter and a four-engine plane flown by a Nationalist Chinese guerrilla were downed in a dogfight over northern Thailand.
Burmese troops are campaigning against guerrilla remnants of the Nationalist Chinese third division along Burma's borders with Laos and Thailand.
Foreign Minister Thanat Khoman said he had "friendly talks" about the incidents with Burmese and Nationalist Chinese ambassadors here and that both envoys said the incursions were "entirely unintentional."
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