(CPOD) Nov. 5, 2003 - Many citizens say France does not have to officially apologize to Algeria, according to a poll by CSA published in La Provence. 55 per cent of respondents say the European country should not make amends to the African nation.

The French occupation of Algeria began in 1830. The suppressed Kabylies rebellion of 1870, the 1879 decision to allow Algerians to obtain French citizenship only after renouncing Islam, and a violent period of terrorism in the 1950s are regarded as regrettable moments in the complex relationship between the two nations.

Algeria became independent of France in 1962 after a series of plebiscites initiated by French president Charles de Gaulle.

Polling Data

Do you believe that France should officially apologize to Algeria for the 130 years of colonization?