ALGERIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS, APRIL 2008 PDF Print E-mail
Congressman Payne,
Congressman Royce,
Ms. Bernadette Paolo,
Mr. Luddy Hayden,
Mr. Keith Richburg,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,


I would like to begin by extending my sincere thanks and appreciation to Congressman Donald M. Payne for his continued efforts to seek more balanced and supportive policies for the benefit of the African countries, and to Congressman Ed Royce, Co-Chairman of the Algeria Caucus for being with us this evening and for his many expressions of support and friendship for Algeria and Africa as well as his imaginative action and efforts to raise awareness about security and development issues in the world. I also wish to thank Ms. Bernadette B. Paolo, President and CEO of the Africa Society for her long and active involvement with our continent and for offering a forum to its diplomatic representatives, Mr. Luddy Hayden for his kind and thoughtful words, and Mr. Keith Richburg of The Washington Post for introducing me and for moderating our discussion. My thanks also go to the many sponsors and supporters who made this meeting possible.

Before I start, I would like to point out the opportune and felicitous choice of the LBJ Room of the US Capitol to host an evening discussion by the Ambassador of Algeria. Indeed, I find it most befitting that I speak before you in this room after having left my residence which, as it happens, once belonged to former President Lyndon Baines Johnson. So, within the walls of the Residence of Algeria in the capital city of the United States, there is a lingering presence of the former American president that shares space with heroes, artists, and scenic views of Algeria.

This shared residence could appropriately be described as a little more than a facet of history and should be perceived in the broader continuum of relations that have linked Algeria to the United States of America since the signature of the Treaty of Amity and Friendship on September 5, 1795. The same spirit of friendship that animated the leaders of those times is still vivid and much stronger now because Algeria and the United States share a lot more than friendship. Indeed, as reflected by their respective histories, they equally share a love of justice and a strong sense of freedom and both their peoples have stood up to defend their sovereignty and liberty whenever they were threatened. Both countries have also supported each other in the name of the very principles that guided their revolutions. John F. Kennedy, then a young senator, spoke out passionately in support of Algeria’s independence when my country was still under French colonialism and Algeria brought in the skills and capacities of its diplomacy to secure the freedom of 52 Americans held hostage in Iran in 1979.

Algeria is a genuine and committed friend of the United States of America


We say “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. Since September 11, 2001, Algeria has been demonstrating through acts that it is indeed a friend of the United States. First among other friends and allies, it stood by them and publicly condemned the terrorist attacks led against this country. For the past six years, Algeria’s support to combat terrorism has been steadfast, genuine and, in the words of numerous US officials, exemplary. President George W. Bush recognized that much on several occasions. On May 26, 2005, as I presented my Letters of Credence to him, he declared that the United States “express their gratitude to Algeria for its abiding and outstanding cooperation in the global fight against terrorism”, adding that “Algeria brings a unique perspective to this fight – a nation thriving to build a cultural and legal framework that protects the lives of all Algerians, while at the same time facing a threat from extremists who value neither life, liberty, nor democracy.” In November 2001, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika underlined once again Algeria’s friendship, support, and total commitment when he met with President Bush at the White House, three months after an earlier visit in July of the same year. Reflecting the close nature of our relations, President Bouteflika has developed with his US counterpart a strong personal relationship characterized by a similar commitment to deepen Algerian-American relations and develop a strategic partnership between our two countries.

Algeria is a stable country with immense economic and human potentialities


It is now an established fact that Algeria, which strongly believes that security is  inseparable from development, stands as a unique case of how to lead a successful fight against the transnational scourge of terrorism while, at the same time, undertaking strong and ambitious political, economic and social reforms and solidify the rule of law. During the Nineties, Algeria suffered a full frontal assault from terrorist groups determined to wreck havoc and inflict unimaginable human suffering and economic damage. It faced that assault on its own, relied on its own resources and creativity, stood tall and fought back, demonstrating day in and day out the determination of its people and leaders to fight for freedom and democracy.

That same determination is visible now as Algeria pursues its implementation of a major enterprise of national recovery with the aim of accelerating the democratic process and deepening economic reforms. It has been successfully implementing a comprehensive strategy with the aim of establishing a stable and appeased society where fundamental liberties are guaranteed and protected. Focused on strengthening the institutional, operational and economic capacities of the country, this strategy also concentrates on consolidating social peace, through policies such as national reconciliation.

Today, Algeria enjoys real political plurality, an active and ambitious civil society, and a vibrant press. The multitude of infrastructure projects being implemented throughout the second largest country in Africa, the millions of schoolboys and girls, and the mushrooming housing programs are the symbols of the new Algeria. They show a country hard at work, determined to build a better, prosperous and safer future for its people. It is also a country whose efforts to institutionalize the practice of democracy, the rule of law and good governance have earned it the praise from numerous independent international bodies, including, most recently, the African Peer Evaluation Mechanism.

This is a genuine and accurate depiction of the reality of Algeria, a country endowed with immense human and resource potentialities, committed to stability and security in its region, on its continent, and elsewhere around the world, all the while keeping a vigilant watch against transnational terrorism.

Algeria is an important partner of the United States

Relations between Algeria and the United States have entered a new, dynamic and very promising phase and are stronger than ever. Our countries share a large convergence of views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest and cooperate closely at the regional and international levels. Presidents George W. Bush and Abdelaziz Bouteflika have expressed their personal interest and strong support for the establishment of a solid and lasting strategic partnership between Algeria and the United States. Both countries are committed to strengthening their political concertation and to increase their security and military-to-military cooperation.

Both countries enjoy strong economic relations as well. Algeria is the largest trading partner of the United States in North Africa and ranks second in Africa and the Arab world. Current US investments in Algeria amount to 5.5 billions dollars. In a little over four years, our volume of trade increased from 3.3 billions dollars in 2002 to close to 17 billions in 2006. The number of American corporations already active or exploring business ventures in Algeria has increased significantly over the past few years, reflecting growing US confidence in its market and institutions. Repeatedly praised by international institutions for the excellent management of its finances, Algeria has cleared up its debt, holds huge assets of foreign reserves estimated at close to 80 billion dollars in 2006, and offers a market with tremendous opportunities. Third largest producer of oil in Africa and holding the 8th largest reserves of natural gas in the world, Algeria is an important supplier of petroleum products to the United States and, as such, involved in the security of America’s energy supply.
Encouraged by the current state of its relations with the United States and by the pledge made by President George W. Bush to “support Algeria as it continues on the path of transformational reform”, my country wishes to foster even stronger and closer relations with the United States of America. It deeply values their commitment to “continue to be a strong partner with Algeria” and wishes to see greater involvement by US firms in its development projects.

Algeria plays a central role in North Africa, the Arab world, Africa and the Mediterranean


At the regional level, Algeria supports strong and effective cooperation and promotes the essential role and contribution of bodies such as the African Union. It is aware that development challenges in the context of fast-paced globalization can only be met in the framework of concerted action and strategic partnership. This vision translates into its commitment toward the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), of which it is one of the main initiators. NEPAD provided the framework for launching a large number of regional and sub-regional infrastructure development projects, such as NIGAL which involves the construction of a gas pipeline linking Nigeria to the Mediterranean coast or laying fiber optics cables to improve telecommunication services.

Algeria is also a relentless promoter of cooperation in its immediate area. For Algeria, the Maghrebi integration is a strategic option based on its policy of good-neighborliness, founded on the principles of sovereignty of peoples, independence of states, and respect of international legality. In the Arab world and in the Mediterranean Basin, it actively participates in the Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue, pursues dynamic relations with NATO, and maintains strong political and economic ties with Europe.

Algeria and the United States are eager to capitalize on their shared interests


The Algerian-American relation holds tremendous potentialities and the promise for a larger, greatly consolidated relationship. Both Governments are fully committed to taking their bilateral relations to a higher level and give them the special character and quality that they deserve for the benefit of the Algerian and the American peoples.

Thank you very much.
 
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