It was the costliest wake in history. Through the gilt parlors and echoing halls of Algiers' $30 million Club des Pins sulked 1,800 idle Algerian servants, aided by 30 idle French maitres d'hotel and chefs, who demanded and got a month's salary for what ended up being five days' work. Imported caviar, champagne, whisky and steak poured into the cavernous complex even as delegates and foreign ministers from 45 nations made their reservations to depart. The club's living quarters were not even filled; most diplomats preferred the bustling Aletti Hotel downtown, or the St. George, where the frug and...
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