Georges Seguy was the Secretary of the General Confederation of Labour, a French national trade union center, from 1967-1982. Discussing De Gaulle's announcement of France's acquisition of a bomb and the great national debate that followed, he declares that while the left in general was divided on the issue, Mr. Seguy believes the development was "not a positive fact" because it brought the country into the international arms race. But while the population opposed De Gaulle on economic and social issues, they tended to support him on defense. Mr. Seguy recalls the period after World War II and the objectives and views of the French communist party at that time. As a member himself, he denies as absurd the allegation that Moscow provided direction to the party. He apportions blame to both sides in the Cold War for the period of tensions that followed the war. In his view, the atomic bomb is primarily a political weapon and he believes its use on Japan was not necessary.
