Charles De Gaulle Gesturing While Speaking

(Original Caption) The animated expressions of French President Charles De Gaulle reflected his deep concern over the new political crisis facing his country. Following this Elysee Palace press conference, during which he attacked the idea of an integrated Supranational Europe, five of president De Gaulle's cabinet ministers resigned to protest his attack. The Cabinet members' withdrawals from the De Gaulle regime underscored the widening rift among French leaders on the question of whether Europe should be a loose confederation of Sovereign states, (advocated by De Gaulle), or a Supranational form involving the surrender of some sovereignty by each of the members.