Pro-Gaullist and anti-Gaullist demonstrators cheered and jeered yesterday (Tuesday) as one of the most famous Paris landmarks -- the Place d'Etoile -- was renamed Place Charles de Gaulle after the late French President.

Controversy boiled up when the Paris city council, having decided on the name change soon after General de Gaulle's death five weeks ago, dithered in the face of mounting criticism. President Pompidou intervened urging the council not to sully the General's memory with useless argument.

Yesterday, 3,000 people watched French Prime Minister Jacques Chaban Delmas unveil a simple blue plate renaming the great circular plaza -- site of the Arc de Triomphe and junction of a dozen imposing avenues.

Later, police made a handful of arrests as light scuffling broke out between the two factions following the ceremony.