1.
TV EXT. CITY HALL
0.05

2.
TV DOORS LYING ACROSS PAVEMENT (TWO SHOTS)
0.11

3.
SV ARMED TROOPS.
0.14

4.
SVPAN DEBRIS.
0.17

5.
SV PEOPLE LOOKING AT DEBRIS
0.19

6.
LV SMASHED WINDOWS.
0.21

7.
CU DITTO
0.23

8.
SV INT. WRECKED ENTRANCE HALL
0.27

9.
SV INT. WRECKED OFFICE
0.35

10.
CU DITTO
0.38

11.
CU DEBRIS
0.42

12.
SVPAN..OFFICE
0.46

13.
LV WRECKED CEILING
0.51

14.
CU WRECKED OFFICE EQUIPMENT (TWO SHOTS)
1.0

15.
SV MAN CLEARS WRECKAGE.
1.05



Initials EHR/S/WH/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: TERRORISTS OF THE SECRET ARMY ORGANISATION JUNE 15 BLEW UP ALGIERS CITY HALL. IT WAS THE BIGGEST BLAST SO FAR IN THE "SCORCHED EARTH" CAMPAIGN OF THE OAS, WHICH IS TRYING TO BRING ALGERIA TO RUINS BEFORE THE JULY 1 REFERENDUM ON INDEPENDENCE. ONE FRENCH SOLDIER WAS KILLED, AND 48 OTHERS INJURED IN THE WRECKAGE.

A TOTAL OF 70 TROOPS WERE GUARDING THE BUILDING WHEN AN ESTIMATED 100 LBS OF EXPLOSIVES WENT OFF IN THE BASEMENT. FIRES WERE STARTED. GLASS, PLASTER, FILING CABINETS, FURNITURE AND PAPERS WERE SENT FLYING INTO THE STREET - BUSY WITH PEOPLE MAKING THEIR WAY HOME BEFORE THE 2030 HOURS CURFEW.

THE CITY HALL - A MODERN BUILDING ON THE ALGIERS SEAFRONT - HAD EARLIER BEEN DAMAGED BY OAS PLASTIC BOMB ATTACKS.IT STANDS NEXT TO THE MODERN ANNEXE OF THE ALGIERS PREFECTURE, WHICH WAS SERIOUSLY DAMAGED BY THE AS A FEW DAYS EARLIER.

THE SAME DAY, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN PARIS THAT EX-GENERAL SALAN, THE OAS LEADER, IS TO BE TRIED AGAIN, ACCUSED OF TREASON. THE CHARGE CARRIES THE DEATH PENALTY. THE EX-GENERAL, SAVED FROM THE FIRING SQUAD WHEN THE HIGH MILITARY TRIBUNAL GAVE HIM A LIFE SENTENCE, IS SAID TO HAVE CONTINUED TO DIRECT THE OAS FROM HIS CELL.