Le Monde on 08 Mai 1945 Algerian massacres

The world at war - Massacre in Algeria: The Algerian War began at Setif "As France celebrated victory in Europe on 8 May 1945, its army was massacring thousands of civilians in Stif and Guelma - events that were the real beginning of Algerias war of independence." By Mohammed Harbi. (Le Monde Diplomatique, 17 Mai 05)
    The 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day, 08 May 1945, was rightly widely celebrated. However, what is not heard here in the U.S., is that this was also the day on which French forces massacred 15,000-25,000 peacefully demonstrating Algerians (according to French sources), or 45,000 (according to Algerian sources). On this 60th anniversary, the Algerian president demanded a public apology from France for this massacre of Algerians, who died demanding that the Allies promise of post-war "de-colonialization" be honored. The French government has refused to apologize.
    Le Monde does not have the French version on their site (La guerre d'Algrie a commence Stif, par Mohammed Harbi, 17 mai 2005), but I found an English translation (below). This article does not mention the aerial bombardment of people fleeing to the beaches, and many other horrific aspects, but is nevertheless informative. French and Algerian perodicals have carried many other related articles.
    - Tom