Sharjah: His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has reiterated his profound respect, appreciation and affection for resistance fighters who spearheaded Algeria’s freedom struggle.
“I am not ignorant when it comes to the history of Algeria. I officially visited the country in March 16, 1986, during which I gave a lecture hailing the heroics, sacrifices and courage of the Algerian National Liberation Front,” added Dr Shaikh Sultan, in a statement published by Emirates News Agency (WAM).
“I know Algerian history very well, and what I mentioned during the London Book Fair was merely to indicate the friendly relations between Charles de Gaulle and culture minister Malraux, and how much he used to impact him, and perhaps my words might have been misunderstood due to my summary,” said Dr Shaikh Sultan.
“De Gaulle was very ferocious in the way he dealt with our resisting brothers in Algeria, but after he assumed presidency his government secretly contacted the Algerian National Liberation Front to start negotiations,” he said.
Dr Shaikh Sultan stressed that the topic was not related to the National Liberation Front, but rather was a description of how culture can influence even a cruel man to the extent of changing his very nature. “If my brothers in Algeria considered my comments unfair to them, I would like to extend to them my apologies, because I love and respect them,” he said.
Dr Shaikh Sultan recalled that the Algerian revolution that began in 1954 and lasted until 1962 and was led by the Algerian National Liberation Front had caused severe crises in France, adding that it was behind the fall of the French Fourth Republic, which allowed Charles de Gaulle to return and rule, and overthrow successive French governments.
Dr Shaikh Sultan said that, in May 1958, the French president had tasked Charles de Gaulle with presiding over the government while he visited Algeria in June, 1958, and upon his return to France there was a coup attempt by some French officers that resulted in the French president handing over his powers to prime minister De Gaulle, bringing about the government of the new constitution.
“The acceleration of events and the transfer of clashes to France once again led to another coup attempt by French generals in Algeria and France. In January 1961, French votes approved the 1961 referendum on Algerian self-determination, and the French government contacted representatives of the Algerian National Liberation Front in Roma. Negotiations were held between the two parties in Evian and, in March 13, 1962, a ceasefire in Algeria was announced due to another referendum,” Dr Shaikh Sultan recalled.
