When asked what the army's principal concern was, Massu, according to Kempski, replied: "That the government should help us to see the future clearly, in order that we can succeed in maintaining Algérie française." From there on Massu waxed warmer and warmer in his criticism of de Gaulle: "We no longer understand the policy of President de Gaulle. The army could not have anticipated that he would adopt such a policy…. Our greatest disillusion has been to see General de Gaulle become a man of the Left." When the German pointed out that "It was, after all, you and your friends who brought him back to power," Massu replied bitterly: "De Gaulle was the only man available. Perhaps the army made a mistake." Finally, when asked whether the army would obey, Massu was quoted as declaring: "Myself, and the majority of officers in a position of command, will not execute unconditionally the orders of the Head of State."

XREF: Connects to the broader history of the 1958 Algiers putsch and the generals' plot of 1961 against de Gaulle.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 1088