January 25, 1960
USA-CHINA: Washington, 21 – The United States agreed today for the first time to have an international discussion with communist China about the issue of gradual disarmament. An official State Department announcement set out the main changes in America’s position on the matter: «Talks on disarmament involving 10 parties will begin on March 15 in Geneva. The first task at this meeting will be to ascertain the intentions of the communist bloc with regard to its cooperation with the West in a program of gradual disarmament.» FARMERS’ PENSIONS: Parliament yesterday voted that the submission of draft laws by opposition parties, as opposed to the ruling party, was unconstitutional after a debate on proposals by the Liberal Party, headed by George Papandreou, and the United Democratic Left (EDA) to grant old age pensions to farmers. ALGERIA UPRISING: Paris, 22 – French President Charles de Gaulle took a decisive stand today against the leaders of the uprising in Algeria, removing General Jacques Massu from his post as commander-in-chief of the French forces in the North African country.
