NATIONAL LIBERATION STRUGGLE OF ALGERIA ACCORDING TO THE TURKISH DIPLOMATIC ARCHIVES 1955-58: DEMANDS AND EXPECTATIONS

Abstract

Algeria’s national liberation struggle took center stage in the global agenda during a period where global dynamics were being remoulded in the wake of World War II. Beyond the bilateral features associated with gaining independence from France, this struggle also displays aspects of multilateralism, such as through the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Non-Aligned Movement. Having fought for Algeria’s independence, the Algerian National Movement (MNA) and the National Liberation Front (FLN) have resorted to active multilateral diplomacy – an effort which has resulted in diplomatic correspondence. As recorded in its diplomatic archive documents, Türkiye has closely followed Algeria’s national liberation struggle. This article examines the demands and expectations of this struggle, starting on November 1, 1954, when it began to take on an armed character, and continuing through diplomatic correspondences and papers found in the Turkish diplomatic archives between 1955 and 1958. Due to the lack of declassified documents, so far, from 1958 onwards in the diplomatic archives under the name ‘Algeria’, we are only able to review information from 1955 to 1958. 

Keywords: Türkiye, Algeria, national liberation, colony, France