Text of the interview granted by H.E. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, to Middle East Insight Magazine

Question 1: Your election as President of Algeria, after the withdrawal of the other six candidates, gave rise to a real controversy. Do you have the feeling that, since then, you have gained legitimacy in the eyes of the Algerian people and the international community?

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika: The controversy you are referring to exists only in the minds of those whose obstinately continue to deny the Algerian people the capability of distinguishing between the rules of politics and political maneuvering.

The rules of the politics are determined by the Constitution and by the law which, by the way, prohibits the withdrawal of any candidate, except when prevented by acts of God such as death or serious health problem.

As to political maneuvering, it conforms to scenarios concocted by special interest groups for reasons and goals that are totally alien to the higher interests of the Nation.

When the Algerian people chose to invest their trust in me, last April 15, they not only demonstrated their political maturity, they also clearly demonstrated to whoever would admit it that, henceforth, they can make decisions in full awareness of their sovereignty and, beyond any artificial distinctions, of the supreme interest of the country.

As to your question about legitimacy, the answer to it is provided by facts, in other words, my every deed and decision, both domestically and internationally, since being sworn-in. My country has arisen from its nightmare. The people agree with my strategy. The whole world is once again dealing with the serious Algeria of years past. And, since we are on the subject of genuine legitimacy, let me underline that full credit for it is owed to the great Algerian people who should in no way be confused with the handful of lost souls who almost led them to disaster.

Question 2: What is the future of the Union of the Maghreb? What do you expect from your relations with Libya?

Answer: Only God knows the future. However, men can use the will and the reason that He granted them to create conditions for a better future.

It is therefore incumbent upon the Maghreban leaders and peoples to see to it that the Maghreb hasten its course toward progress and economic integration within peace, stability, shared prosperity, and union. Everything, absolutely everything dooms them to following that course: History, geography, culture, language, but also economic and geostrategic interests.

In this respect, in addition to the emotional reasoning that has prevailed in the past, the Union of the Arab Maghreb can only be achieved through rational logic that takes into account the objectively established shared realities and interests of the brotherly peoples of the Maghreb.

Assuming this, nothing is impossible. Especially if we took into consideration the lessons derived from other admittedly
difficult but successful experiments conducted in other regions of the world.

At any rate, people of the Maghreb are aware of that and I believe that a new chapter will soon be opened in the construction of the Union of the Arab Maghreb, answering the legitimate aspirations of the peoples of the region.

This being said, I believe that the building process of the Maghreb should be part of a strategic approach which takes into account the Euro-Mediterranean complementarity and all cooperative potentialities which are likely to be valorized, namely with Africa, the Arab world, and the United States.

As regards our rather good relations with Libya, who is a full-fledged member of the Union of the Arab Maghreb, we expect out of them just what our Libyan brothers expect out of them: strive for peace, stability, progress and successful cooperation in the Maghreb as well as in the Mediterranean, in Africa, and the rest of the world.

Question 3: Has Algeria changed its position regarding the Western Sahara? Will the border between Algeria and Morocco be reopened?

Answer: Algeria'_ position on the Western Sahara has always been clear. It is based on the recognition of the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations. This is in fact the position of the United Nations who entrusted Mr. James Baker to use that basis to oversee the Houston Accords, which the two parties to the conflict have agreed to. Algeria will recognize the results of a referendum held freely and fairly.

As regards the Algerian-Moroccan border, it will very certainly be reopened as soon as issues related to it are solved. Steps to that effect have already been taken with my friend and brother King Hassan II, may God rest his soul. Those steps continue with His Majesty King Mohamed VI, for whom I have the same affection that I had for his famous father.

Both the King and I are fully aware that the world has changed and that a new culture must therefore prevail in our bilateral relations and be based on what may get both countries and both peoples closer to one another.

Nonetheless, I should underline that policies are made by men, who are certainly not infallible. As far as I am concerned, durable and continuous privileged relations between brothers, neighbors, and friends are possible only when you care to say freely and directly what is on your mind and when you always do what you say you will. Already, trust is very difficult to establish between men and their leaders and it is even more difficult to preserve because it requires that all involved display a sincerity and a commitment that exclude any ambiguity or double meaning.

Question 4: What are your objectives regarding relations with Morocco?

Answer: I imagine they are the same as Morocco's: peace, stability, cooperation, and progress in establishing the Union of the Arab Maghreb. Neither Algeria nor Morocco will gain from delaying its construction. However, this construction must be undertaken on the basis of rational criteria and strictly objective data and conducted in an innovative and courageous manner where economic and political culture must definitely supersede the culture of hatred which circumstances have sown to the detriment of the higher interests of the peoples of the area.

It is by going in that direction, anyway, that we will honor the memory of the pioneers of Maghreban unity.

We need to transcend those visions which get confused with idyllic rules and try to look for solutions in a more rational manner. Since 1962, we have signed dozens of agreements which have remained a dead letter. However, when we started undertaking serious projects such as the East and West LNG pipelines, in order to create the structural foundation for a genuine construction of the Maghreb that would take into account the interests of every partner, the preservation of those interests has stood the test of men and time. Therefore, we need to completely rethink our bilateral and multilateral relations between neighbors and brothers: as you know, both Tunisia and Morocco have negotiated and concluded agreements with the European Union. Have they really cared about the comprehensive interests of the Maghreb, or have they at least taken into consideration the interests of Algeria? You cannot talk about the Maghreban concept in order to defend interests that are selfishly nationalistic and, then, decide to abandon that Maghreban concept once you have met your goal of preserving your interest, even if such or such member of the Maghreb should suffer from it.

The destiny of the peoples of the Maghreb is totally solidary. It could not be strategically manipulated in small tactical battles where every partner would try to gain the best interest to the detriment of the interests of the other partner or those of one of its partners.

Question 5: You have recently signed a series of agreements with France. What led to such a development?

Answer: There was rather a series of high-level contacts which have helped to warm up relations between the two governments.

What led to such a development, as you said, was a strong political will born out of the specific and unavoidable realities which characterize relations between Algeria and France in all areas. As far as the Algerian side is concerned, such a will does exist.

Then you have the respective contributions which France in Europe and Algeria in the Maghreb and the Arab world can make and which, together, both can usefully bring into building a bridge of concord spanning over the two sides of the Mediterranean.

We should also keep in mind the determination of Algeria to consolidate her bilateral relations of cooperation with the member-countries of the European Union, with whom it is negotiating an Associative Agreement.

This being said, my country, being very attached to its sovereignty and concerned with preserving its vital interests, is willing to promote mutually beneficial relations in every area with other countries of the North, namely the United States of America.

Question 6: What is your assessment of the situation in Iraq and of the UN sanctions?

Answer: Evidently, the situation prevailing in Iraq is a catastrophe for the Iraqi people. Women, children, and old people without health care, without food, and without school supplies, find themselves against their will in the middle of political and geostrategic considerations, over which they no control and even less responsibility.

I deplore what happened in 1990 between Iraq and Kuwait. I deplore its consequences. For the Kuweitis, whose sovereignty and dignity have been deeply hurt. I also deplore today the consequences for the people of Iraq.

A decade has gone by, the world has changed, the wind of freedom and tolerance has been blowing over the planet in spite of the conflicts, the hatred, the injustices, and the creeping poverty which persist here and there.

But, who better than the UN is able to give a meaning to freedom, tolerance, concord among peoples, in global daily life.

I think that what is happening in Iraq is not likely to help spawn freedom, tolerance, forgiveness, or concord in that region of the world which, as you certainly know, desperately needs it. As much as I advocate concord, reconciliation, and a preservation of the future in my country, I wish for the Iraqi problem to find a as soon as possible a solution that is likely to alleviate the suffering and lessen the hatred in that part of the world, where, like everyone else, I notice that in that regard, sanctions have solved nothing. Quite the opposite.

Question 7: Since its accession to independence, Algeria has been an important member of the Non Aligned Movement. Is this going to continue or do you foresee a change to that status?

Answer: The world has changed and so has Algeria. The world has moved from a bipolar situation to a situation of doctrinal, ideologic and economic monopolarization. As to us Algerians, we have irreversibly moved away from the single-party system and embraced pluralism and from a planned economy to a market economy. That is also the case for the countries of the Non aligned Movement.

However, have such deep transformations really eradicated the essential preoccupations which formed the basis to the Non Aligned Movement? In other words, did the members of the Movement refuse in a certain way to adopt a logic whose meaning they did not understand? I do not think so. Because, just like in the past when the peoples of the South refused to be the instruments of confrontational policies between the two blocks, today, they also wish to progress at their own rate on the difficult path leading to globalization.

Because in view of their level of development and the complexity of their problems, it would be quite utopian to assimilate them to other countries that have enjoyed liberalism and democracy for generations by subjecting them to strictly identical rules of enforcement of pluralism and market economy.

This is how I think the Non Aligned Movement should change status and strive as it did in the past to preserve global peace in the framework of another type of North-South cooperation. And as such, the Movement will become an essential balancing element in the framework of a multipolarization that the future of humanity needs so much.

Question 8: What is your assessment of the Khatami government in Iran?

Answer: My country has always abided by the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of others. This is also my deep personal conviction. It is up to the People of Iran to assess the action of their leadership.

However, Algeria is nonetheless attentive to anything around the world that is likely to give impulse to friendship among peoples and to dialogue among cultures and civilizations with mutual respect and non-interference.

Question 9: In June, you reached an agreement with the Islamic Salvation Front, at a time when you held public talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Does it mean that a rapprochement with the former would be a prelude to relations with the latter and vice-versa?

Answer: There was no agreement with the former FIS for the simple and obvious reason that the party you mentioned was banned by way of a sovereign decision reached by Algerian justice in 1992. The agreement you refer to is in fact an adhesion by the Islamic Salvation Army and Mr. Abassi Madani to my approach to civil concord. Messrs. Madani and Madani Mezrag have, to their credit, understood that Algeria cannot progress by stepping backwards and that there has been too much bloodletting. Their decision shows, if need be, that in this country, the storm which almost engulfed the State has failed to defeat the living consciousness of the people, and that the Algerians are capable of solving their problems. In fact, they will survive this episode as they have survived others in the past.

So, I do not grasp quite well the nature of the link that you establish between the internal situation and the unplanned meeting that I had in Rabat with Mr. Barak at the funerals of His Majesty Hassan II, may God rest his soul.

Unless you are suggesting that the events that have shaken my country may have had exogenous origins. If that is the case, I will admit to you that you are not entirely wrong, even if I forbid myself, for the time being, to incriminate one country or another.

Now, if, on the other hand, you are mixing up issues by suggesting the idea that normalization of relations with Israel is subordinate to the agreement of such or such stream of public opinion in Algeria, then I would tell you that you are totally mistaken. Because my country's position toward Israel is based on one principle according to which, in the past, now and in the future, the Algerian people will always rise to the defense of just causes. We have never shared the doctrine which called for "the Israelis to be thrown into the sea", nor have we obviously shared the doctrine of "the Greater Israel" which would include part of its neighbors. We are for fraternal co-existence among the peoples of the region in the framework of internationally recognized borders, territorial integrity of States, that is to say the return by Israel of territories unduly occupied in 1967, and the recognition of the right of Palestinians to establish a State with Jerusalem as its capital. This is in fact what I told Messrs. Barak, Levy and Peres in Rabat. I also told them that Algeria would have stood at the side of the Israelis if they had been in the same situation as the Palestinians.

Could I remind, in this respect, that contemporary history of international relations has constantly agreed with the positions defended by Algeria on the basis of the principles of justice and peace:

1. In Vietnam, when Messrs.Kissinger and Le Duc Tho both were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

2. In the Middle East, after I, in my quality as Chairman of the general Assembly of the United Nations, allowed Mr. Arafat to join the concert of nations on behalf of the PLO. The same Mr. Arafat who ended up being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

3. In South Africa, after my ruling led to the exclusion of the racist regime; South Africa where, 20 years later, Nelson Mandela became Head of State and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

This is not to say that we are visionaries, but trials and experiences have helped our people gain in maturity throughout its history, so much so that, having had to constantly rise against injustice, often successfully, it knows that the fastest way to humanity and humanism goes through courage and faith in peace, tolerance, and freedom, in a word, fraternity among men. All the rest is nothing but vanity. And as a man of faith, I also believe in immanent justice.

Question 10: How did Algerian public opinion react to your talks with Barak?

Answer: Very normally. First of all, Algerians no longer look at their country'_ foreign relations through ideological blinders. Then, however much they are strongly attached to the perennial principles of justice, peace, and right which must guide relations between nations and, namely, between the Israeli nation and the Palestinian nation, they have absolutely no inclination whatsoever to be opposed to progress. In fact, if there is one thing that they are totally in sync with, it is global transformations and progress.

So, with respect to the issue of the Middle East, we have no inhibition regarding anyone. As I told you earlier, we were part of every struggle for the causes of freedom, self-determination and independence for peoples. As Semites who are very comfortable with themselves and as Moslems who are deeply steeped in the values of the great monotheist religions, we have never fallen in the trap of anti-semitism.

Now, can anyone tell me if the universal repudiation of ideologies does also apply to the Zionist ideology in whose name some continue to block the peace process and to deny the Arabs and the Palestinians what they claim for their own nation? Can anyone give me one example in history where hegemony and exclusion can cohabit with peace and concord among nations?

The truth is that between 1948 and 1999, the Arabs have made one concession after another and Israel has responded with contempt and intransigence toward her neighbors. The truth is that today Israel is a nuclear power that is absolutely shielded from any threat likely to be represented by neighboring countries no matter how largely populated they may be. And this is not to mention the strong alliances that Israel enjoys. The truth, finally, is that war between Arabs and Israelis has occupied half of a century that is reaching its end. Therefore, it seems to me that the time has come to give peace the chances its deserves, in order to allow the new generations of both nations to live their century in fraternity and to dress the wide-open wounds that 20th century contexts have cut.

Question 11: What do you expect from a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict?

Answer:

As I told you:

1) Israeli withdrawal from the Golan.

2) Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon.

3) Recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

It is only with these achievements that a new page can indeed be written in the Middle East with letters of peace, stability, shared security, fruitful cooperation and equitably shared prosperity.

In other words, reconciliation between Israelis and Arabs could open wide prospects to the peoples of the Mediterranean Basin et could even become a catalyst for a peace movement throughout the world by setting an example for all peoples facing conflicts, as is the case of South Africa.

Question 12: What role is Algeria playing to achieve peace in the Middle East?

Answer: Algeria is ready to bring its contribution to achieve peace in the Middle East, as long as what I have just told you is indeed set as an unavoidable way for the peoples of the region. While I seek concord and reconciliation at home, I can only wish for other countries, and namely those of the Middle East, to get together without any exception and step all together, hand in hand, into the 21st century.

This is the best gift of the new century that our generation can give the generations that 20 or 30 years from now will be taking the destiny of our region in their hands.

This being said, Algeria has many things to take care of other than applying for a position as mailman or messenger between the various protagonists who currently are engaged in direct and indirect negotiations amongst themselves.

As far as ideas, hypotheticals, working assumptions, potential solutions, are concerned, everything has already been said, and we are in no way going to be led into an ambiguous position aiming to further isolate the Palestinian people and to facilitate its phagocytosis or Bantustanization. The situation is very complicated in that area. And our ideas are too simple. They simply have the advantage to be presented in a crystally clear manner. Each people of the region, each State in the region fairly deserve to have their rights, all their rights, and nothing but their rights, and to agree together to loyally create a normal situation where, in concert, they could inspire a new life in the whole Middle East.

Question 13: What would be your policy toward Islamist groups that reject any agreement with the Algerian Government?

Answer: My policy will be dictated by the Algerian people who, as you know, will vote on civil concord on September 16, 1999. If they vote as a meaningful majority; but, at any rate, in a democracy, majority rules, then those groups, assuming there will be some left, would naturally become outlaws against whom the laws of the Republic must be enforced to their fullest extent. Indeed, because it reflects the indulgence of the State, because it introduces innovations into criminal proceedings by seeking to balance the supreme interests of society against the legitimate interests of individuals, the law on civil concord constitutes an appropriate framework for stopping bloodletting and for enabling all those who strayed to reintegrate society with full protection of their rights.

At any rate, the State, concerned about its credibility, will honor its commitments with loyalty and all the seriousness becoming the rule of law. However, as is universally accepted, the State will use all legal means to defend itself against outlaws.

Question 14: What is your strategy to ease security concerns in Algeria?

Answer: Civil concord, national concord, peace, or -- as the Romans used to say when Rome was in all its splendor, as can be seen inscribed on a piece of mosaic displayed in the Tipaza ruins -- "Peace, Concord, Conviviality". But also, as I said, a full and equitable enforcement of law.

Our strategy to ensure public safety does not differ from those being enforced in any other country in the world. Because robbers, bandits and assassins exist everywhere around the world. And it is up to justice to hunt them down. Renovating, modernizing justice and making it efficient constitute one of the top priorities of my plan of action.

Question 15: What is being done to improve the human rights situation in Algeria? In particular, what can be done to remedy the issue the disappeared in Algeria and to bring answers to the families of the thousands of disappeared individuals?

Answer: Improving human rights has been a permanent concern for the peoples of the South, namely the peoples of Africa, beginning with the genocide of slavery and continuing with colonial oppression.

It has been a permanent concern in my country for over 130 years during which it endured all the injustices of the colonial regime. It has been a preoccupation since the country became independent, as shown through the sum of efforts put to feed, care for, educate the people, bring electricity to them, build roads for millions of people who had been deprived of them for countless decades.

Now, when you talk about human rights, I wonder sometimes if we live on the same planet because it is obvious to me that, even in this area, double standards appear to be the rule. And, noticing the silence surrounding such issues in Palestine, for example, or in countries where interests of the North are strongly implanted, I wonder if this issue is not just a smartly designed doctrinal medium that is part of an interference policy directed at the domestic affairs of some countries of the South.

I would even be tempted to ask for your help in getting answers to some troubling questions that those who preach to us take great care not to insist on or to try to solve.

In the name of what right does anyone finance the recruitment of militiamen to send them as cannon fodder to Afghanistan and see them return later in their countries of origin, indoctrinated, fanaticized, battle-tested and ready for all kinds of adventures?

In the name of which human right can a state be put on trial for defending itself against the fanaticism and backwardness of those who slit the throats of children?

Why are massacres committed by terrorists presented as mere and unimportant incidents that are purely sensational, when they should be presented in reference to the doctrine of human rights?

Therefore, stop giving us lessons and try once and for all to understand that human rights which have been an age-old demand of our peoples have in fact been trampled in the past, through everything that we suffered under colonization, and they are being trampled today, through the establishment of an unequal world where one fifth of all mankind enjoys 90% of all the wealth in the world.

In the South, however, no one is being taken in by that. And, in Algeria, although we are having difficulties caused by imperfections related to a nascent democracy, we have settled down with conviction to establish the rule of law and to pursue progress toward greater democracy, a project which our traditions as well as the higher values of our civilization have predisposed us to seek.

As to disappeared individuals, Algerian justice will spare no effort, conducted in the framework of the law, to seek solutions to cases fully documented by verified evidence.

In this respect, I would like to underline that Algeria went through a tempestuous period that completely disorganized its institutional management system. The State was under attack, society was violated, and values flouted, all because of a war that was real except in name. Everything in the country needs to be reconstructed. And it is only through the rebuilding process that all wounds can be finally healed, including the issue of the disappeared, which is certainly not the smallest of wounds. The Algerian people have suffered enough. Very few generous hands were extended to them when they needed them the most. But they knew how -- and at what cost! -- to survive their ordeal. The worst is now over. So, please, stop turning the knife in the wound and let them continue their trek toward national resurrection. The Algerian people are fully capable of doing that even if they certainly need help. However, they need help and not preaching because, in the area of human rights, they would be perfectly well placed to teach a lesson to many.

However, our intention now is certainly not to engage in polemics. We intend to devote our efforts to peace, reconciliation, and to national reconstruction in the framework of democracy and market economy.

Could I tell you that, while I completely share your concern for human rights, our country is today in such a situation that, to us, human rights means the right to work, and one-third of the country's active work force is unemployed; it means the right to housing, an area where at least i million units are needed to alleviate the crisis; it means the right to education and schooling, because each year the country's population grows by 600,000 and 300,000 children start going to school. By human rights, we also mean the right to health care and, unfortunately, we realize today that the public health care system is no longer able to offer free coverage for all. Human rights, that also means eradicating poverty under all its forms. And I certainly need not dwell any further on the consequences of the delinquency of young people who have no hope and no future. Human rights, that is also protecting society against merchants of death and drugs, and those people are legion. so, please, do take note of the fact that we are in agreement with you on fundamentals. Better yet, there are no disagreements between your preoccupations and mine.

However, everything is a matter of priority and a question of methodology. Who would refuse to live in a society similar to the Swedish society, if in addition they could have the beauty and sunny skies of Algeria?

Question 16: What is the best way for the international community, and the United States in particular, to encourage development of civil society in Algeria?

Answer: First of all, why speak of civil society and not the Algerian people as a whole?

In my position, I find it difficult to accept the fact that in Algeria, there could be individuals who are more Algerian than the rest of us. But, anyway, since you are focusing on civil society, I think that the United States would make a great contribution to Algeria, if they provided an assistance that is loyal, devoid of any selfish considerations, and respectful of our position of not tolerating any interference in our domestic affairs.

Today, Algerian society has enormous social needs which resulted from damages inflicted by terrorism to the economy. Everything needs to be built, particularly in socio-educational sectors. The victims of our tragedy also need concrete and meaningful help from the national and international communities. As I said, so long as the conditions I mentioned are respected, we would welcome any kind of assistance.

Furthermore, as I told you, we need to shield civil society against sterile polemics. It should become able to contribute efficiently to the effort of national reconstruction, because it has wasted too much time. We now need to deal with what is fundamental and avoid wasting time on endless diversions created by those who, here or abroad, have used to their own ends the tragedy of the Algerian people. If you ever decided to help alleviate the suffering of the Algerian people by helping out in one area or another, I would like to warn you that the task ahead is huge, so huge in fact that I would invoke all the humility of the Algerian people to request the help of the great American people, and therefore of the United States of America, and the help of all the great peoples who, throughout the world, remain just as attached as the Algerian people to the notion of solidarity among men, all men, without distinction, and among peoples, that is to say, all peoples, regardless of nationality.

Question 17: How successful has Algeria been in attracting foreign investments?

Answer: There is great and real enthusiasm in that area and some major investments have already been made. Others will be made pretty soon. There is definitely greater confidence, the current legislation provides for a lot of incentives, and the potential for partnerships is great. However, numerous obstacles, namely bureaucratic, need to be overcome, which is exactly what we are working on. In a word, Algeria is back to being the serious partner that it was and I would say that time works in favor of investors.

In this regard, I would like to recall the enormous potentialities that my country has to offer in every area, including:

- An immense and geographically privileged territory.

- Over 80 millions acres of farmland.

- Immense areas of land open to tree planting or replanting and, therefore, likely to have a positive impact on employment and the economy.

- Important fishing resources offered by 1,200 km of coastline and a continental shelf with a surface area of about 3 millions acres.

- Significant mining resources, including iron, phosphates, zinc, copper, lead, kaolin, traces of gold and uranium, and others.

- Oil and gas which constitute the main source of cheap energy.

- National electrical grid which covers the entire territory.

- Important economic infrastructure offering industrial capabilities and relatively qualified manpower.

- Significant airport and maritime infrastructure.

- Scientific and technical foundation composed of universities, institutes, and research centers.

- Banking network operational over the whole territory.

- Significant management capabilities offered locally and by communities living overseas.

- Abundant, cheap, young, and available manpower: Active population will number over 8.5 million individuals in the year 2000; creditworthy market made up of 38 million consumers in the year 2010, 41 million in the year 2015, and 44 million in the year 2020.

Question 18: Which industries are most likely to attract foreign investment?

Answer: All sectors, including the primary, secondary, and tertiary, are eligible for investment. Algeria offers resources in raw materials, manpower, and energy. It also offers a huge creditworthy consumer market. Algeria has a fantastic geographic position. So, I would say that foreign investors have a large selection of areas to pick from.

I also think that some kinds of partnership could enable foreign investors to use Algeria as an economic launching pad in the direction of the huge African and Arab markets.

Question 19: What hopes do set on relations between the United States and Algeria?

Answer: The history of Algerian-American relations has not only been marked by disagreements over some international political issues, which by the way were resolved in support of positions defended by Algeria. In fact, relations between Algeria and the United States are marked by a friendship which started with the independence of Algeria. They were marked by the unforgettable position taken by President John F. Kennedy, may God rest his soul, in support of the Algerian people struggle for independence. And, besides, economic relations between our two countries were never interrupted.

At any rate, today, there are no more obstacles, because we are also part of the vast movement of democratic and economic transformations.

So, as long as it is the wish of American investors and as long as the United States Government clearly express its political willingness, there is absolutely nothing that prevents the two countries from developing rich and fruitful relations in productive investment and bilateral cooperation in all areas.

Known as a loyal partner, Algeria will be sensitive to policies that are friendly toward her, respectful of her sovereignty, and concerned with her legitimate rights and the rules of a mutually advantageous cooperation.

At any rate, in my country, the United States enjoy equal and even greater chances than other partners, and I would not be unhappy to see your country better than anyone else take advantage of those chances.