Algeria-United States: “The United States appreciates the views and opinions of Algeria” (U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton)

Algérie Presse Service (APS) – February 25, 2012

Upon arriving at “Houari Boumedienne” International Airport, the Secretary of State declared that the United States appreciates the views and opinions of Algeria on various events in the region.

She added that her country and Algeria hold “permanent dialogue on all areas”, underlining that her visit was aimed at reinforcing cooperation between Algiers and Washington.

“I am here to talk about strengthening our bilateral cooperation and exchange ideas on the events currently taking place in the region,” she said.

Mrs. Clinton indicated that Algerian-American relations, which date back to a very long time, “are good, deepening and evolving.”

Moreover, asked to comment on “financing of Islamist parties by the United States,” the head of American diplomacy refuted such a claim.

“We do not finance any political parties around the world. However, we propose to work with parties to exchange ideas and provide support for election holding to ensure free, fair and credible voting,” she said.

With regards to the coming elections in Algeria, Mrs. Clinton spoke of the “availability” of her country to contribute technical assistance.

“If we are asked, we will get in touch with groups of experts so they can work with the authorities in Algeria to support the elections,” she added.

Later, Mrs. Clinton traveled to the U.S. Embassy where she gave an address and met with members of the civil society, including graduates from American schools and universities.

Speaking to reporters and members of the civil society, the U.S. Secretary of State said that Algeria should occupy the place “that is appropriate for her” in the concert of nations.

“Algeria, which celebrates 50 years of independence, must occupy the place that is appropriate for her over the next 50 years, with a development program for its society,” she said.

For Mrs. Clinton, the United States should support such a development program which “supports dialogue between the government, the civil society, and the economic world.”

She said that the United States is a partner in the dialogue with the government, the economic sector and civil society “to observer the changes and the progress achieved.”

Perceiving civil society as a three-legged or three-pillared structure, she explained that the first pillar represents the government, which is “responsible,” and “is accountable and creates opportunities for the population.”

The Secretary of State added that the economic sector is the second pillar, which “must be dynamic and open onto the world, in order to create opportunities and jobs.” Civil society, she said, represents the third pillar, which works “relentlessly” to “improve the living conditions of its fellow citizens.”

Furthermore, Mrs. Clinton added that she came to Algeria for “consultations” with government officials and representatives from the economic sector and to hold “a dialogue” with representatives from the Algerian civil society.

Moving to another chapter, she stressed that she “advocates” for a partnership based on “equality opportunities” with Africa.

On the Arab Maghreb, Mrs. Clinton declared that she came from Tunisia and will continue her travels through the region on to Morocco, where she would be conveying “the same message”, which is that “the peoples of the Maghreb also have the opportunity to take by themselves the decisions which concern them.”

“The peoples of the Maghreb are as talented and work just as hard as the other peoples around the world,” she added.