Support in the Algerian War by the Austrian Left
In the fifties, solidarity with the Arab and Islamic resistance grew among the left in Europe. Special support was given to the Algerian struggle for independence, which was led by the National Liberation Front „FLN“ against the French colonial power.
Particularly important was the support of the young socialists such as Bruno Kreisky, Rudolf Kirschschläger, Karl Blecha, Peter Strasser and Karl Reidinger. As part of this solidarity work, a number of history books on solidarity aid have been published. At this point, the history book „Lived Internationalism“ by Fritz Keller should be mentioned. For his part, Iran Birchall has written his interesting history book European Revolutionaries and Algerian Independence. This historical work is based on interviews and excellent archival research and descriptions of individual relationships. Austria’s contribution to the Algerian liberation struggle was of great importance.
Algerian solidarity in Austria was characterised by a dual function. Algeria’s involvement in both functions has achieved remarkable results. Above all, it is about a lasting effect in Algeria. Another function concerns the deep sympathy that Austria still enjoys today throughout the Arab world. Characteristic was the high prestige of the freedom movements in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Si Mustapha Müller (born Winfried Müller in Wiesbaden in 1926) played the leading role in the repatriation service as part of the Deserter aid organisation. He mainly brought 4000 foreign legionnaires to desertion and looked after them during the march back home. Other important focal points for supporting the Algerian war of liberation are presented in the article.