POLITICAL-COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES, PROPAGANDA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700220249-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2003
• Sequence Number: 249
• Publication Date: April 23, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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SUBJECT
HOW
LANGUAGE
PUBLISHED 22, 29 Jan 194
WHERE
PUBLISHED Algiers
DATE
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,.., DATE DIST. 95 Apr 1953
NO. OF PAGES 6
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
CONFERENCE OF FCA LEADERS; PROCLAMATION TO ALGERIANS
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fcomment: The Central Committee of the FCA (Parti Com-
muniste Algerien, Algerian Communist Party) held a special 2-day
conference 17 and 18 January 1953. The account of the confer-
ence was carried in two issues of Liberte, the PCA weekly news-
paper, which also published a full-page proclamation.
Central Committee of PCA Holds Important Two-Day Conference
On 22 January 1953, Liberte reported that the Central Committee of the PCA
had held an importan' conference to Algiers 17 and 18 January. It cited the
following reports and addresses made by various PCA secretaries: Bachir Hadj
Ali made the opening report (summarized below); Ahmed Akkache reported on the
organic and ideological strengthening of the party; Paul Caballero spoke on the
coming municipal elections; and Larbi Bouhali made the closing address (sum-
marized below). The newspaper stated that, in addition, the conference had
been addressed by Leon Feix, a member of the Central Committee of the French
Communist Party, who confidently assured the Algerian workers and people of the
support of the workers and people of France.(l)
Bachir Hadj All. Urges Revival of Algerian Front
The 22 January issue of Liberte carried a detailed account of the open-
ing report by Bachir Hadj All, who reviewed the current situation and outlined
the principal objectives of the PCA. The newspaper's rendition of this report
follows in summarized form.
Bachir Hadj Ali opened the conference with an analysis of the inter-
national situation in the light of the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of
the Soviet Union. He quoted statistics on the latest Soviet Five-Year Plan
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CLASSIFICATION
NAVY NSRS
ASR _ Fpl~_
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0
and contrasted these with conditions of oppression under the Tsars. He then
described the liberation movements developing in Asia and Africa, and showed
how the recent World Peace Congress in Vienna iovember 19527 had combined
the struggles for independence and peace into a single effort.
He went on to stress the difficulties of the imperialists by quoting
Malenkov as stating that the disintegration of the single world market was
the most important economic result of World War II. The result of this dis-
integration, Bachir HadJ Ali indicated, has been to accentuate the already
existing crisis among the capitalists, whose market is now being challenged
by the prodigiously expanding socialist market. The capitalists, he said,
think that the solution to their problem lies in preparing for war, but
they are finding it difficult to do so. He illustrated this by declaring
that the French Communist Party has led the fight in France to lover such
military expenditures, which must be borne by the working class and the en-
tire people. Furthermore, he added, the imperialists' plans have been hind-
ered by national movements, particularly during 1952 and particularly in the
three French North African countries.
Speaking of the recent UN debates on Morocco and Tunisia, Bachir HadJ Ali
declared that US trickery at the UN was obvious. He pointed out that although
the US and France did not agree exactly on the North African question, their
differences had been set aside in the interest of strategic requirements. How-
ever, he noted, even if France has won a temporary respite, the Latin American
resolutions established the fact that the UN is competent to deal with the
Moroccan and Tunisian problems.
The speaker cited various instances of US interests which are divergent
from those of other imperialist powers: Great Britain, concerning oil in the
Middle East; all the other Atlantic rrATO7 Council members, in attempting,
through Ridgway, to make them increase their armament appropriations; and
France and Germany, whom Wiley threatens with reprisals if they do not speedily
accept the European Community Treaty.
Bachir HadJ Ali's report then dealt with the FADRL (Front Algerien pour
la Defense et le Respect des Libertes Democratiques, Algerian Front for the
Defense of and Respect for Democratic Liberties). He continued as follows:
"Although the .last LPCA/ Central Committee called on all patriots to revive
the FADRL, the goal was not achieNed. The reasons for this are the FADRL'S
federative nature, its lack of planning, and its insufficient number of basic
committees. We saw also that after 23 May 1952, the leaders of the UIMA
(Union Democratique du Manifeste Algerien, Democratic Union of the Algerian
Manifesto) ordered their local sections not to respond any more to appeals for
FADRL meetings. Consequently, until December it was impossible to hold meet-
ings to enable the Front members to get the all-important guidancr and train-
ing from nationalist fighters. There were indeed other meetings, and also
strikes, but they merely pointed up what little had been accomplished 50
strengthen the FADRL7. The fault lies with certain comrades who underestimate
the strength of the national movement and lack confidence in the exploited
masses.
"It is clear that the imperialists are trying to disintegrate the nation-
alist movements, which have gained considerable momentum because of the inten-
sif ication of the imperialists' attempts to obtain maximum profits. The
Fechteler report, for example, proposed a conciliation with the 'Arab nation-
alists' in order to embroil the three LFrench7 North African countries in an
anti-Soviet war, and to take over in North Africa in place of the French. But
the imperialists are being stopped by our working class, by the influence of
the PCA and the French Communist Party, and by the increasing influence of
Communism in general. Yet by far the most important obstacle to the imperialists'
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attempts is the irresistible surge of unity. Our party's perseverance has helped
this surge, as have the many meetings, protests, and joint letters to the FADRL.
Moreover, the Algerian delegation to Vienna included members of the ULMA and the
MTLD (Mouvement pour le Triomphe des Libertes Democratiques, Movement for the
Triumph of Democratic Liberties).
"We must make it clear that our party is trying to bring about the revival
of the FADRI.. The Front grew out of the people's action and brought together
all of the national Forces. The responsibility for its inactivity is not ours --
we clarified that by our letter on 8 July [19527 to the Secretariat of the FADRL."
The sneaker then emphasized the necessity of defining the party's position,
and continued: "We are criticized for being disciples of Stalin. Yes, we are
his disciples. At the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union,
Stalin told those peoples still under the capitalists to raise high the banner
of national independence. What patriot would not heed this advice? Further-
more, we can profit from Stalin's incomparable revolutionary experience. At
the same time, the USSR's interests are inseparable from those of all peoples;
this was proved by its position during the UN debates on Tunisia and Morocco.
Stalin has helped the Asian and African peoples to get rid of the inferiority
complex instilled in them by the imperialists. Therefore, the more we love
Algeria, the more we are attached to the USSR and Stalin."
Dachir Hadj All went on to outline the PCA's immediate goals, including
the following,. revival of the FADRL; formation of many committees to combat
repression; expression of solidarity with the Tunisians, Moroccans, and all
persecuted anticolonialists; support of the demands of workers, fellahs, un-
employed, and the middle classes; and struggle for peace, making use of the new
ideas brought back by the Algerian delegation to the Vienna Peace Congress.
Ile indicated the importance of making it quite clear that there is an
Algerian problem and that there is no such thing as three French departments
in Algeria. He also stressed the importance of the coming municipal elections
in May, for which, he said, consolidated electoral lists in both colleges should
be developed, in favor of the national and democratic groups. He urged the
party to gird itself for future battles by assuming responsibility and by using
the methods of criticism, self-criticism, and revolutionary vigilance within
the part. "The future struggle will be very hard," he declared, "and will
require devotion and many sacrifices from the Communists. But the party's
gains of 1952 entitle us to work on in the spirit of victors, bolstered by the
knowledge that at the head of all our supporting forces io our beloved Stalin,
who with every fresh utterance and writing gives us new reasons to hope, struggle,
and vanquish."
In conclusion, he urged his comrades to display the Stalin-like qualities
that were outlined in one of the latest issues of Lasting Peace CPresumably the
Cominform weekly, For a Lasting Peace, Fora People's Democracy7.(1)
Larbi Bouhali Indicates Ways to Strengthen PCA
On 29 January, Liberte carried an account (given here in summarized form)
of the closing address of the conference, delivered by Larbi Bouhali, FCA Secre-
tary.
Bouhali urged the members to keep the party's perspectives in view at all
times, inasmuch as they are to engage in great struggles similar to those which
are being prepared in many colonial countries. I:e stressed the need for criti-
cism and self-criticism, to do away with any weaknesses in the l'CA's activity.
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__ RP C?I1riSls~T 11
"The FADRL in particular," he observed, "has not been given enough at-
tention by the Central Committee, even though it is our primary objective.
We must bend all our efforts toward reactivating it, especially by making use
of the masses."
He indicated that, while spurring on the working masses to press their
demands, the party must prepare for the coming electoral campaign by spreading
the slogan, "Consolidated anticolonialist electoral tickets."
"But the principal requisite for success," he noted, "is a strong party,
made possible through a judicious choice of cadres and a thorough control of
execution of plans. We must guard our party's unity by adhering to the Marxist-
Leninist doctrine and to the policy we laid down at the Sixth Congress Cf the
PCA7. To correct our errors, we must use as our models the Communist parties
of the USSR and France. An effective way to do this will be to study the docu-
ments of the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and
especially the inspired work of comrade Stalin in The Economic Problems of
Socialism in the USSR."
He called on PCA militants to redouble their vigilance. In answer to the
question as to which tasks were to be dealt with first, he said that all the
tasks merited the party's attention, but that priority should depend specifically
on each case and each area involved. "Vital changes," he declared, "can be made
ooth in the party and in the present political situation, provided that we fight
more methodically, firmly, and with conviction for our just cause."
He concluded by calling attention to the innumerable forces on the side
of the PCA, and by acclaiming Stalin as the workers' inspired ed ucntor and
guide, "at whose side we can ge on' with a sure step to the building of a free
Algeria, the first stage on the way to socialism."(2)
PCA Sends Messages of Encouragement to Other Communists
The 29 January issue of Liberte also carried messages of encouragement
which the Central Committee had drawn up for the following persons: French
Communists Jacques Duclos, Francois Billoux, Etienne Fajon, Raymond Guyot, and
Leon Feix, all of whom are members of the French Parliament, faced with a pos-
sible death sentence by the French government; Ali Yata, secretary of the Moroc-
can Communist Party; and the leaders of the Tunisian Communist Party. The news-
paper indicated, in addition, that the PCA had sent a telegram to Washington,
urging clemency for the Rosenbergs.(2)
PCA Issues Proclamation to All Algerians
The following is a summary of the full-page proclamation ublished by the
Central Committee of the PCA in Liberte on 29 January 1953. The paragraph
headings, as given here, appeared in bold type.?
The popular masses in North Africa and all dominated countries are defying
the colonialists and uniting in various groups to achieve their liberty. The
stubborn colonialists have shown their fear by the assassination of Ferhat
Hacked Tunisian nationalist labor leader7, the massacres in Casablanca, and
the police raids in Algeria.
As spokesman for the people, the PCA has as its foremost goal the end of
oppression. It calls on all Algerians to unite and set up an Algerian democratic
republic, with its own parliament, constitution, and govermient -- a republic
which will maintain economic and cultural ties with France, bases on the equal
rights of both peoples.
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French imperialism in North Africa can no longer escape international at-
tention, now that the UN has broached the Tunisian and Morncca'i auestions. But
despite all evidence, this imperialism hypocritically repeats the lie that
Algeria comprises three French departments. All Algerians xnow, however, that
Algeria is a colony subjected to political oppression and complete economic ex-
ploitation. They have seen their righteous demands systematically rebuffed by
the imperialists, who imposed on them a made-to-order, antidemocratic assembly.
Election of a Truly Representative Algerian Assembly
The PCA proposes the election of a truly representative Algerian assembly.
Such an assembly would meet with the French representatives and freely discuss
Algeria's future and its future relations with France. To be democratic, the
assembly would represent Moslem and European Algerians on a proportional basis,
and the elections would be watched over by the people's organizations and by
representatives of all French parliamentary groups and of the UN Security Coun-
cil. No sincerely democratic person can refuse such a solution which will bene-
fit all.
Millions of Algerians eagerly await the revival of the Front. To make
this possible, we have to oppose arbitrary colonialist measures by forming
everywhere Popular Committees Against Repression. Men of all nationalities,
faiths, and national movements should weld themselves into a force which will
compel respect for democratic liberties. Thus, repression can be stopped and
the anticolonialist political prisoners can be released through a general
amnesty like the one in 1946. We can force the colonialists to drop the charges
against Larbl Bouhali, Messali Hadj, Lieader of the !4TLD7 and all other Com-
munist, nationalist, and labor leaders.
The thing to do is to organize and act. You Algerians must, in your own
interest, actively support your Tunisian and Moroccan brothers and the workers
and people of France, whose fcommunist7 leaders are persecuted for having de-
fended the peoples oppressed by French imperialism. By uniting and acting,
you will improve the working and economic conditions of laborers and fellahs,
lower the high cost of living, and stop the dismissals and unemployment.
United action will make it possible to put into practice the principles of
the Vienna Peace Congress and to make known the results obtained by the
Algerian delegation to the congress.
Another way in which you can act is to prepare the way for an overwhelm-
ing victory at the coming municipal elections. Set up, in both electoral
colleges, a common basic program for all parties and present single anti-
colonialist electoral tickets.
Men and women of Algeria: Now is the time to fight. The recent UN de-
cisions have shown all. oppressed peoples that they must wage the fight for
liberty on their own soil. They now see clearly who their enemies and their
friends are. They have seen the duplicity of the American imperialists re-
vealed in their anti-Tunisian and anti-Moroccan vote. At the same time, they
have felt the support of the USSR, the People's Democracies, and the countries
of Asia and Africa,
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We see, then, that our allies are many and powerful. While the im-
perialists are enmeshed in contradictions, the forces of freedom and peace are
growing everywhere. In the lead is the USSR, which is winning victories every
day in the establishment of Communism.
he proclamation then repeated the slogans already given in the form of
titles, and ended with "Long Live the Algerian Front:"
Hussein Dey, 17 and 18 January 1953
The Algerian Communist Party
Elsewhere, in the same issue, Liberte had a notice to all PCA cells and
groups, urging them to "study attentively the proclamation of the Central Com-
mittee" and to "post it up everywhere."(2)
1. Liberte, 22 Jan 53
2. Ibid., 29 Jan 53
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