ALGERIA- USA RELATIONS PDF Print E-mail
L'ALGERIE ET LES ETATS-UNIS LIES PAR DES RELATIONS "SOLIDES" ET "EXCELLENTES"
 

 

Bouteflika

 

L'envoyé spécial américain pour le Moyen-Orient, George John Mitchell, a qualifié, mardi 14 avril 2009 à Alger, les relations qui unissent l'Algérie aux Etats-Unis de "solides" et d'"excellentes".
 
"L'Algérie et les Etats-Unis ont des relations qui durent depuis fort longtemps et ce sont des relations solides et excellentes. Nous espérons pouvoir les renforcer à l'avenir pour oeuvrer ensemble à atteindre notre objectif commun, particulièrement dans le cas du Moyen-Orient, à savoir la paix" dans la région, a déclaré M. Mitchell à la presse à l'issue de l'audience que lui a accordée le président de la République, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

L'émissaire américain a souligné avoir eu avec le chef de l'Etat des discussions "très intéressantes", "très sincères" et "complètes" concernant tous les points relevant de sa mission ainsi que sur d'autres questions d'intérêt commun.

M. Mitchell, qui a rappelé que l'Algérie est un pays membre de la Ligue arabe, a relevé que le président Bouteflika "est l'un des dirigeants les plus respectés et les plus considérés", ajoutant que "ses conseils et ses avis sont de la plus haute importance et du plus grand intérêt pour nous".

"C'est pour cela que nous comptons sur ses conseils et ses avis pour poursuivre la mission que nous devons mener dans la région", a poursuivi l'envoyé spécial américain pour le Moyen-Orient.

Il a affirmé, en outre, que "la politique du président Obama, du secrétaire d'Etat, Mme Hillary Clinton, et moi-même ainsi que celle de tout le gouvernement américain concernant la région, est tout a fait claire. Elle est en faveur d'une solution pacifique et globale du problème du Moyen-Orient".

"Nous estimons que seule la paix pourrait nous mener vers la solution à savoir celle de deux Etats (palestinien et israélien) et c'est pour cela que nous sommes en train de travailler et nous espérons atteindre cet objectif", a déclaré M. Mitchell, avant de rappeler que c'est sa troisième visite dans la région.

Pour l'émissaire américain, son objectif "est d'essayer avec les dirigeants de la région de trouver rapidement la meilleure solution pour atteindre notre objectif commun, à savoir la paix au Moyen-Orient".

"Le président (Bouteflika) m'a accordé très généreusement beaucoup de son temps, mais m'a également invité à retourner en Algérie, invitation que j'ai acceptée", a-t-il dit, ajoutant : "J'espère que nous allons travailler davantage ensemble afin de faire aboutir le processus de paix dans la région".


"Nous sommes d'accord sur les objectifs à atteindre. Nous sommes également d'accord sur le fait que la tâche ne sera pas facile", a souligné M. Mitchell.

Le responsable américain a affirmé, enfin, que "c'est également dans l'intérêt des Etats-Unis d'arriver à une solution pacifique globale du problème du Moyen-Orient, mais aussi dans l'intérêt de tous les peuples de la région".

L'envoyé spécial du président des Etats-Unis d'Amérique pour le Moyen-Orient, qui est arrivé mardi à Alger, avait indiqué dans une déclaration à la presse qu'il aura lors de sa tournée dans la région des entretiens avec plusieurs personnalités dans la perspective d'avoir un appui pour "tenter de faire avancer les solutions que proposent" les Etats-Unis.

 
 
Algeria and the United States share a long history of friendly ties that dates back to September 5, 1795, when Algeria and the United States of America signed the Treaty of Amity and Peace, a few years after the official recognition of the independence of the young American Republic by the State of Algeria (1783). They also share a love of justice and freedom and both their peoples have stood up to defend their sovereignty and liberty whenever they were threatened. Algeria and the United States have also supported each other in the name of the very principles that guided their revolutions. Senator John F. Kennedy spoke passionately in support of Algeria’s independence when the country was under French colonialism and Algeria lent the full force of its diplomacy and political influence to secure the freedom of 52 Americans held hostage by Iran in 1979.

Today, that spirit of friendship and cooperation are stronger than ever. When the United States came under attack in September 2001, Algeria publicly condemned the terrorist attacks. Since then, it has been strongly supportive of the international war against terrorism and has worked very closely with the United States to help defeat the threat posed to freedom and progress by the scourge of transnational terrorism.

Recognizing “the difficult years Algeria faced as it fought its own long battle against terror”, President George W. Bush praised Algeria and said the United States “express our gratitude to Algeria for its abiding and outstanding cooperation in the global fight against terrorism. Algeria brings a unique perspective to this fight – as a nation thriving to build a cultural and legal framework that protects the rights of all Algerians, while at the same time facing a threat from extremists who value neither life, liberty, nor democracy.”

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika visited the White House in July and November 2001, participated in the G8 Summit meeting at Sea Island, Georgia, in June 2004, and held meeting with President George W. Bush in New York in September 2005. With his US counterpart, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has developed a strong relationship characterized by a similar commitment to deepen the Algerian-American relationship and build a strong strategic partnership between the two countries.

These meetings between the two Presidents and their commitment to cultivate a lasting partnership between our two countries reflect the convergence of their interests and are indicative of the growing relationship between the United States and Algeria. They have also helped set the stage for a deeper engagement by the United States, deemed by US officials to be important for American interests in the region.

The intensity of the cooperation between Algeria and the United States is best illustrated by the number and frequency of senior-level visits made by civilian and military officials of both countries.

Encouraged and supported by the warm and friendly personal ties developed by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and President George W. Bush, these visits offer what could possibly be the clearest demonstration of the increasingly close relations between Algeria and the United States of America.

Algeria is fully committed in its support to fight transnational terrorism and has demonstrated in deed its engagement at the side of the United States.

Relations between Algeria and the United States have entered a new, dynamic and very promising phase and stronger than they have ever been. Additionally to close and friendly political and military ties, both our countries enjoy strong economic relations as well. Today, Algeria is the largest trading partner of the United States in North Africa and ranks second in the Arab world and Africa as host to US investments. In less than four years, our volume of trade went from $3.3 billion in 2002 to over $19 billion in 2007

Algeria is a country with excellent financial health, huge assets in foreign reserves in excess of $100 billion in early 2008, a long stream of ambitious development programs, and a market that offers tremendous opportunities. Algeria is also an important supplier of liquefied natural gas and petroleum products and, as such, is involved in the security of America’s energy supply.

Although their ties have been developing at a satisfactory pace, Algeria and the United States both realized that there is much more they can do to strengthen their relations and take advantage of the many potentialities that are left unexplored on both sides.

Algeria is a country rich in human and natural resources focusing its energies on building a future solidly based on democratic institutions and a thriving economy. Today, its economic and financial performance holds great promises. With social peace restored, Algeria is now implementing a very ambitious reform and development program and earning praise from numerous independent international bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund. In this respect, the international financial institution’s latest report on Algeria, released on February 19, 2008, welcomed “Algeria’s encouraging economic performance” and states that “Algeria’s market-oriented economic reforms over recent years started to bear fruit, with higher growth, low inflation, and strong fiscal and external positions.”

Encouraged by the current state of its relations with the United States and by the commitment expressed by President George W. Bush to “support Algeria as it continues along its crucial path of transformational reform”, Algeria values the US commitment to “continue to be a strong partner with Algeria” and wishes to foster stronger relations with the United States of America.
 
[ Back ]