In a statement made on 23 March 1956, Salah Ben Youssef, former Secretary General of Neo Destour, harshly criticises the signing of the protocol between France and Tunisia which provides for Tunisia’s independence within a freely accepted framework of interdependence with France. He particularly expresses reservations with regard to the clauses, limits and scope of this interdependence and calls on the Tunisian people to continue their struggle against French occupation.