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Approved for Release: 2020/08/11 C02000168 SECRET ## Deteriorating Military Morale Poses Threat to De Gaulle's Algerian Policy lowered army morale since the government's decision to hold the 6-8 January referendum on its Algerian policy and since the pro-rebel Moslem demonstrations during De Gaulle's 9-13 December visit. The air force is described as similarly affected, though to a lesser degree. The unity of the army is reportedly endangered by cleavages between junior officers and older generals and by differences between various units. The recent open letter by Marshal Alphonse Juin, France's highest ranking military figure, explaining why he will vote "no" in the referendum has reportedly stimulated "considerable thought" among French officers in Algeria. Repercussions of the Juin letter have also occurred among the military in France itself, where 16 reserve army generals who had previously held high commands in North Africa--including former chief of staff Guillaume--have publicly endorsed Juin's appeal in even more vehement terms. Widespread military disapproval of De Gaulle's policy will pose a threat to any new initiative he may attempt following the referendum. De Gaulle expects to gain about a 65-percent majority in France; a narrower over-all majority or especially a negative result in Algeria would serve to stiffen military opposition to a new offer to negotiate with the rebel government. Extensive Moslem abstention, as ordered by the rebel Algerian government, or further pro-rebel demonstrations in Algeria would probably also be interpreted by many French officers as evidence of the failure of De Gaulle's policy and of the impossibility of keeping an independent Algeria from rebel domination. Meanwhile, there are signs that some French officers now feel Algeria is lost to France and the West and are adopting attitudes of bitter resignation or indifference. If such sentiment spreads, it will probably lower the army's efficiency in SECRET 5 Jan 61 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 5 Approved for Release: 2020/08/11 C02000168

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