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The Moment to Negotiate. On the surface, the F.L.N.'s response to De Gaulle's psychological offensive has been uncompromising toughness. In late August the rebels extended the war to France, and in a month of operations struck 180 times against targets ranging from oil dumps to the Eiffel Tower, from cops on the beat to Information Minister Jacques Soustelle.
In actuality, F.L.N. leaders felt neither so confident nor so uncompromising as their public pronouncements suggested. Last week, in the first interview he has granted since he became chief of the government in exile, Ferhat Abbas spelled out for TIME Correspondent Stanley Karnow the F.L.N.'s current position: "As long as De Gaulle does not reveal his hand, we will go on fighting. Our army has never been as strong. We are in a position to take a step forward to a ceasefire. We want to find a humane solution to this war. But while it is true that De Gaulle has not mentioned integration, the French army continues to wipe out villages and kill Algerians."
For the first time since the Algerian war began, the F.L.N. has proclaimed itself ready to discuss a settlement with France without insisting on prior French recognition of Algerian independence. To indicate that they have an alternative, should De Gaulle not respond, the F.L.N. is talking up a daring scheme that could create real trouble: they would call for "armed volunteers" from the Arab world, not because they lack manpower but in order to widen the conflict.
The hope of peace, amidst so much hatred and recrimination, relies on whether both sides at this crucial moment are capable of trust, magnanimity and wisdom. "Stop this absurd fighting," pleaded De Gaulle last week. Answered Ferhat Abbas: "Now is the time to negotiate. We can work out a new kind of relationship between Algeria and France. Even those who are fighting are prepared to find new bonds." The world could only hope so.
* Boiled semolina with vegetables, meat or fruit added.