In solving this problem, and at the risk of further serious friction with France, Boumedienne pursued roughly the same tough policy as his predecessor. After expropriating French farm holdings, Ben Bella went on to make a first step (just before he was deposed in 1965) towards nationalising the oil and gas properties, by demanding that fifty per cent of their revenues be repatriated to Algeria. In 1971 Boumedienne completed the process by taking over a majority holding in all the companies. France retaliated by boycotting Algerian oil, ceasing imports of Algerian wine (long an apple of discord with French viticulturists), and withdrawing technicians.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 1677