Algeria: Bouteflika specifies four basis for reconciliation 


Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit

Jun  1, 1999 by mideastdesk@igc.org

ArabicNews.Com

Bouteflika specifies four basis for reconciliation in first speech as
president

Algeria, Politics, 5/31/99

54 days after he assumed the Algerian presidency Algerian President
Abdelaziz Bouteflika delivered his first speech, in which he specified
the basis for national reconciliation and opened the door for the
repentance of terrorists to enter society once again.

He also took a series of important measures and decisions toward large
factions of Algerian society.

Bouteflika said that no national reconciliation will be achieved unless
four pillars are established: adhering to the constitution and Algerian
laws, giving rights to their owners through honoring the constitutional
and national organizations for those who presented great services to their
nation, opening the door for amnesty, and allowing the return of
extremists and their followers who exclude violence, terrorism and
extremism.

By opening the door before forgiveness, mercy and repentance, Bouteflika
said he is renewing the country's intention to fight terrorism and
overcome the roots of terrorism.

Bouteflika also confirmed his intention to reform the judicial system,
solve unemployment and housing problems, and fix the social justice
system.

Bouteflika said Algeria desires foreign relations that are "turned
towards the future in mutual respect and reciprocity and in all their
possibilities." He added, "In relation to Algeria's geographical
position, it is also necessary for us to be conscious of what our country
represents for peace and security in the area and in Europe, and to assert
our share, our right share, in the definition and the implementation of
the collective processes which start in the Euro-Mediterranean unit."

On the Arab Maghreb Union, he said, "We are determined to affirm our
membership to the Arab Maghreb, which dictates to us to work, beyond the
difficulties of the economic situation, to fill the immense delay taken
by the process of union, the more so as the relations with the European
union offer a particularly significant field to the deployment of the
solidarity of the countries of the area."

In the economic arena, Bouteflika said he intends to fight corruption and
tax evasion, abolish monopolies, reorganize and establish effective
management in state-run companies and develop investment and agriculture.
He said that reducing the complexity of bureaucratic procedures can also
help investment in Algeria.
 
=================================================================
  NY Transfer News Collective   *   A Service of Blythe Systems 
           Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us          
              339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012             
  http://www.blythe.org                  e-mail: nyt@blythe.org 
=================================================================
 
nytaf-06.02.99-16:40:03-29549