Information just released in France substantiates allegations of widespread use of torture and assassination of political opponents during the occupation of Algeria. France allegedly exported the techniques to anti-communist regimes, according to an article in the International Herald Tribune on Friday.
The origin of these new revelations is an investigation on the role of the "special forces" of the French military during Algeria's war for independence in the 1950s by the French weekly magazine Le Point.
A French judge, Roger LeLoire, who was investigating the disappearance of French citizens in Argentina during the last military regime, interrogated General Paul Aussaresses about his knowledge of training given by his soldiers to the Argentine military in torture techniques. General Aussaresses's testimony helped draw a complex picture of the French military's responsibility in teaching torture to their Argentine colleagues.
Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Trinquier was reportedly the architect of brutal repression in Algiers and of the development of the concept of "modern war."
The origin and justification for these techniques was the fear of communism, best exemplified in a document written by General Jacques Massu, one of the leading French officers in Algiers. In a note dated March 19, 1957, General Massu stated this principle.
"It is not possible to fight against the subversive and revolutionary war orchestrated by international communism with the classical procedures for combat. It is necessary to use clandestine and counterrevolutionary methods and actions. And it is necessary that these methods be accepted by our souls and our conscience as needed and morally valid."
According to AFP on June 15, Aussaresses is to stand trial for justification of war crimes.
General Paul Aussaresses, 82, whose trial is likely to take place in the autumn, faces a maximum five-year prison sentence and a 300,000 franc ($40,500/45,600 euros) fine if convicted.
The case against him stems from a complaint filed in May by the Human Rights League (LDH) over a book in which he described how he personally tortured and killed 24 Algerian prisoners during the independence war that ended in 1962.
He said his actions were carried out with the full knowledge and backing of the French government, including then justice minister Francois Mitterrand, who later became president.
"He is going to stand trial not for what he wrote but rather for justifying his war crimes," Michel Tubiana, president of LDH, told AFP.
"General Aussaresses is going to have to explain why he considered torture, kidnapping and summary executions to be normal and part of his military duty."
He said the case was symbolic in that it marked the start of a process of recognition in France that atrocities were committed by some members of the French military in the former colony.
"We are hoping that this case will open doors," he said. "Maybe a government commission will be set up to investigate crimes against humanity."
The general's attorney, Gilbert Collard, welcomed the decision to try him, saying it would lead to numerous witnesses being called to testify on the French military's actions in Algeria.
"General Aussaresses, after all, was not the only one to have taken part in this war," he said. "He never justified the use of torture, he merely recounted what happened and by doing so contributed to knowledge of events that took place."
Patrick Baudouin, honorary president of the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, said the case may help the country come to terms with a sensitive issue that "we have sought to cover up."
"We are finally lifting the cover on this war and I welcome that," he told AFP. "The past always comes back to haunt you and maybe through this we will finally be able to turn the page on this dark page of our history."
The Paris prosecutor's office has refused to pursue Aussaresses on charges of crimes against humanity, citing the legal difficulties such a case would pose.
Aussaresses's book, titled Special Services, Algeria 1955-1957, has been widely condemned by French politicians and the public, with many urging that he face legal or disciplinary action, said the agency – Albawaba.com
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