One yoar after independence, the Algerian Government has announced for tho first time the arrest of 9°Nne political opponents, Boudiaf and three others, In a short statement in the National Assembly, Ben Bella apoke of a conspiracy against the state,
Houdiaf 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 Ben Bella, refused to onter the Political Bureau, ond rejected a seat in the National Assembly although elected, He was generally considered as tho main spirit behind the so-called Party of Socialist Revolution, although hoe disclaimed responsibil— ity for the activities of that clandestine organisation, After hia arrast the French paper Le Monde published a statement he had made a couple of days before in which Boudiaf condemns the measures taken by Ben Bella as "demagozic™ and also alludes to the popular discontent in Algeria that could be exploited by the bourgecis 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 ths army in the eastern towns of Constantine and Philippville, Detailed information on these events is not available.
411 those who support the measures taken by the Algerian government to potilgeria on the road to socialism must recognise the right of this gover= mnent to defend itself. It has been admitted by all impartial observers that the Algsrian government up to this point has taken no coercive maasures against political opponents, and this has been publicly stated by Ben Balla and his colleagues on various occasions, If Boudiaf has confined himself to political opposition only, hie arrest would be a political mistake. If he is accused of participation in a conspiracy, he should be tried by a court, with all facilities of a fair legal dafence,