15 January 1998
VIOLENCE IN ALGERIA: IS THE WORLD 'HELPLESS IN THE FACE OF TERROR'?
Alarmed by the brutal massacre of over 1,000 Algerians--mostly rural women, children and elderly people--since the holy month of Ramadan began December 30, the foreign press raised a "hue and cry" for international intervention in Algeria. In references to Bosnia and Somalia, the press railed alternately against the UN, regional institutions and their own governments for once again "standing by" and "doing nothing" to stop the rampant violence in Algeria that began in January 1992 when authorities cancelled a general election in which the now-banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) had taken a huge lead. As signs of hope for a way out of the current "traumatic phase" faded with the Zeroual government's refusal to allow an outside inquiry requested by the U.S. and others (the EU fact-finding mission that was to start today was rejected on the basis that the mission lacked seniority), writers painted a bleak picture of Algeria's future. Arguing that Algeria's carnage is being "tolerated" by the Zeroual government, Algiers's French-language, independent El Watan complained that Algeria would escape serious repercussions from the international community because of Western business interests in its oil and gas industry. London's independent weekly Economist and others argued that "until an independent investigation removes the smear of complicity, or explains the negligence" of the Zeroual government, "anti-terrorist assistance for Algeria makes little sense." An Indian pundit wondered whether Algeria would eventually become an Islamist state like Iran or join the amorphous sphere of other states like Somalia that have imploded. These were themes: NO SANCTIONS OR MILITARY FORCE--Observers uniformly opposed the use of either military force or sanctions as anti-terrorism tools. Many of these writers pointed out that after the Somalian intervention neither France--with its large Muslim population, including a host of Algerian refugees--nor any other country would be willing to send soldiers into a "hornets' nest" and that it is still "absolutely unclear against whom an intervention force will have to act." Likewise regarding sanctions, writers held up the Iraqi example, asserting that an embargo against Algeria would punish the very people the sanctions were designed to try to protect. The most firmly held conviction was that the only permanent solution to ending Algeria's reign of terror and violence would be a diplomatic solution and that it must come from Algeria itself. Writers urged the international community to continue to press for outside inquiries into the six-year-old crisis and to pressure the Zeroual government "to reopen a dialogue" with FIS leaders with a view to bringing them back into the political arena. 'TARNISHING ISLAM'--There was a great deal of frustration among Muslim commentators from Egypt to Iran over the ineffectiveness of Arab and Muslim institutions. Cairo's pro-government Al Ahram lamented, "Arab silence on the situation in Algeria is understood, but shameful." In Iran, the current chair of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), papers accused the Zeroual government of "tarnishing the name of the Islamists" by perpetrating or allowing the violence and argued that the OIC should take the diplomatic initiative to end Algeria's insurrection. This survey is based on 48 reports from 23 countries, January 6-15. EDITOR: Gail Hamer BurkeTo Go Directly To Quotes By Region, Click Below ALGERIA ALGERIA: "Armed Groups Are 'Tolerated'" Yasser Benmiloud commented in his daily column in French-language, independent El Watan (1/14), "The Americans are big children. Their Anadarko oil company is investing millions of dollars in southern Algeria, just like other British, Argentine, Spanish, German, and other companies that have all signed juicy contracts with Sonatrach [the national hydrocarbon company]. Today, the Americans, the Germans and their race brothers are calling for sending an international investigation commission to know who is killing in Algeria. This is very amusing. In brief, the international community is addressing this message to Zeroual: Mr. President, it is a pleasure to work with you. We like what you are doing very much, particularly regarding your 1.7 billion tonnes of proven hydrocarbon reserves. However, there is just a small problem: We would like to send in an investigation commission, just to know if it is you who is smashing babies against walls. Truly, this is humbug. "The United States, like Germany, knows very well who is killing. It is not the army. They also know very well who does nothing to protect the populations. It is the army. They have the pictures picked up by their satellites that enable them to track the movements of the GIA [Armed Islamic Group] and the National People's Army. And they know that the armed groups are 'tolerated.' They also know that as long as the number of dead has not exceeded 200,000, as in Bosnia, it would be indecent to take the matter up with the United Nations, and to try certain incumbent businessmen for crimes against humanity. Until then, much blood will have been shed under the bombs." "U.S. Is Favorable To An Investigative Commission" French-language independent El Watan wrote (1/6): "This declaration of a high-ranking official of the American administration [underlined] an attitude which contrasts strongly with the position exhibited for some time by Washington vis-a-vis the Algerian regime. The United States in effect provided flawless support to the political programs of the regime.... At the moment when a lively controversy provoked debates in Europe over the question 'who kills whom' in the drama which rocks Algeria, the American Department of State on the contrary exhibited a staunch serenity, not hesitating for a moment to accuse directly the armed Islamist groups, which they added to the list of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the world against which one must fight without respite. [Rubin's remarks] can find their explanation in a desire [of the United States] to modify their attitude, judged too consenting...vis-a-vis the regime in Algeria by European political-media circles. [Rubin's remarks] could also be the fruit of lobbying efforts and pressure on the part of well-known international NGOs such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International which exercise their major influence on Western public opinion sensitive to questions relating to human rights." MIDDLE EAST EGYPT: "Arab Silence Is Shameful" Columnist Salama Ahmed Salama commented (1/13) in pro-government Al Ahram, "International pressure so far has failed to unveil the mystery of the brutal massacres in Algeria. The United States and Europe have retracted their positions when they received the Algerian angry response to the request to send an investigation committee to Algeria. The Algerian government's pretext for rejecting international assistance is not convincing. Arab silence on the situation in Algeria is understood, but shameful." JORDAN: "Internationalizing The Algerian Crisis?" Senior editor Saleh Qallab opined in independent, mass-appeal Al-Arab Al-Yawm (1/7): "Some people think it is easy to form international or Arab fleets and send them into Algeria. They think that the Algerian army will give way, the terrorists will throw away their weapons and everything will be over. Simplifying the matter in this way is such a bitter laugh. Those who suggest the formation of these savior fleets forget that what is happening in Algeria is not children's play in a small village. It is the outcome of international and regional polarization that found the perfect atmosphere to take root and flourish and then turn against the Algerians." "Yes To Internationalizing The Algerian Crisis" Managing editor Yahya Mahmoud argued in business-oriented Al-Aswaq(1/7): "The current international action on the Algerian crisis...should be approved by anyone who realizes the amount of suffering of the Algerian people.... The fact that the Algerian government is incapable of protecting the Algerian people, and that the Arabs and Muslims have failed to Arabize this crisis leaves one hope only: that the international forces will intervene in order to restore security to the Algerians." SAUDI ARABIA: "Foreign Intervention Will Not End Algeria's Suffering" Jeddah-based, conservative Al-Madina held (1/13), "To free Algeria from the nightmare of terrorism and violence is the responsibility of its people. Foreign intervention will not end Algeria's suffering from terrorism, which has found save havens in some European countries that have welcomed terrorist elements.... Nonetheless, what is taking place in Algeria, killing in the name of Islam...will greatly damage Muslims' image among non-Muslim societies and will also open a wide window before violent groups which might believe that by seeing what is going in Algeria will condone killing as a method that is still legitimate." EUROPE FRANCE: "Algiers For A Status Quo" Dominique Bromberger commented on government-run France Inter radio (1/15): "The EU has just proved it did not know or understand how the Algerian regime worked.... In the present situation, good intentions are not enough. EU members should decide what they want. Algiers knows what it wants: It wants to continue with the same policies. The West, on the other hand, is very unsure of its objectives. Paris, for example, fears an initiative that might change things in the Maghreb.... The temporary failure of the EU initiative can hardly be a disappointment to many French officials." "Algeria And The UN Charter" Georges Kiejman, a lawyer and former minister, in left-of-center Le Monde (1/13), "It is clear that the international community, through its own rules, has divested itself of the right to assist victims inside the borders of a recognized nation. This principle is indisputable. But until when will it remain undisputed? This question must be raised.... The question is whether we are ready to break with a political doctrine, that of respecting sovereign nations, even when it means human beings cannot be helped. In the end, human beings are the justification of the United Nations.... The goal is not to protect nations, but to protect the men, women and children who constitute nations.... Every nation will have to examine the UN Charter it has signed and wonder: protect nations or their citizens? It is time to choose." "France Continues Its Support Of Algiers, Without Any Illusion" Jean-Christophe Ploqin in Catholic La Croix (1/12): "France no longer has any illusions about the Algerian regime, yet its implicit support of Zeroual's regime will continue.... An observer, disappointed by France's lack of involvement, yet realistic, made this commentary: 'One must choose between bombs in the streets of Paris or in Relizane (Algeria).' Paris does not want its population to suffer from its involvement in the Algerian situation.... It has accepted the U.S. intrusion in the Algerian crisis...even if France's influence in dealing with the crisis remains essential for Washington and Brussels.... France's diplomatic position, unchanged in spite of a change in its government, can be explained in part because no one can see an alternative to the Algerian regime.... The crisis involves three aspects: security, avoiding bombs in Paris; strategy, France's role in the Maghreb must be maintained; economic, trade must be safeguarded. For these three reasons, it is important for France not to enter into a conflict with Algeria." "The Fault Line" Pierre Beylau wrote in right-of-center weekly Le Point (1/9): "Intervention is a delicate exercise. Former examples such as Lebanon, Iraq, Somalia and Rwanda were failures for the international community, even if the nations in question were practically without government, which is not the case for Algeria.... But Algeria is part of a gigantic semi-circle of crises, from the Caucasus to the Maghreb, from Central Asia to the Balkans, and from the Middle East to the Gulf, which is affecting the Arab and Islamic world. The massacres in Algeria cannot be completely disassociated from those of Afghanistan, Egypt or Iran. It is a cauldron of social frustrations, identity crises and nostalgia for the golden age of Islam. Algeria, like Turkey, is at the core of a fault line between two worlds: one turned toward Western modernity, the other toward regression to the Middle Ages." "A Diplomatic Intervention" Jose Garcon said in left-of-center Liberation (1/7): "Whatever becomes of Washington's hopes for an international inquiry, the U.S. request will have at least underscored the rising doubts and questions over the real culprits behind the massacres.... The silence which followed this request, before Algiers decided to call the U.S. ambassador, is indicative of Algeria's embarrassment with regard to Washington's new position, after having been lulled by U.S. support of the Algerian regime over the summer." "Algeria, Again" Bruno Frappat judged in Catholic La Croix (1/6): "It seems that for the first time there is a sign a European conscience.... The attitude of the Algerian government remains an enigma.... It has officially remained deaf to every offer of mediation or international involvement. If this attitude continues, the government's inability to ensure the safety of its population will be compounded by doubts about whether these massacres disturb the government at all." BRITAIN: "Algeria's Awful Slaughter" Independent weekly Economist editorialized (1/9): "The savagery beggars the imagination. At the very least, the security forces do extraordinarily little to protect civilians. Negligence or complicity? Many Algerians have come to suspect complicity. This could be wicked nonsense. But until an independent investigation removes the smear of complicity, or explains the negligence, anti- terrorist assistance for Algeria makes little sense. Outsiders should neither be intimidated by Algeria's bruised nationalism nor accept that it is business as usual. The best way to help Algerians is to help them to find out what the hell is going on in their own sad country." "Terror In Algeria" Conservative Daily Telegraph editorialized (1/9): "The historic slaughter in Algeria has at last stirred Western powers to attempt to intervene. The West should now be urging the government in Algiers to reopen a dialogue with the FIS leaders Abassi Madani and Ali Benhadj, with a view to bringing them back into the political arena. Their commitment to democracy, beyond its usefulness as a stepping stone to power, is open to doubt, but they are viable interlocutors in the search for peace." "Demand For Impartial External Investigators" Independent Financial Times editorialized (1/6): "The least the (Algerian) government can do now is to accede to the growing demand...for impartial external investigators to be given full access so that responsibility for the massacres can be established as clearly as possible. The longer it refuses that demand, the more it brings suspicion on itself, and the more uncomfortable investors must feel doing business with the generals in Algiers." GERMANY: "The EU Makes It Too Easy For Algeria" Centrist Der Tagesspiegel of Berlin stated (1/15), "If the Europeans had decided to send ministers to Algeria, then it would have been impossible for the regime to drag its head so easily out of the noose. The statement that the EU delegation lacks prestige is understandable.... On the other hand, the Algiers government is happy about the postponement, since it only reluctantly agreed to the visit of the EU delegation.... However, the EU should not give in and demand an investigation about the massacres and its background. To restrict itself to questions regarding the fight against terrorism--as the regime has demanded--would unilaterally strengthen a military regime which does not make any voluntary step to end the political crisis." "Left By Allah" Axel Veiel noted (1/15) in an editorial in left-of-center Frankfurter Rundschau, "It is difficult not to fall into cynicism. In a state with whom the EU conducts talks about an association agreement, people are massacred by the hundreds almost on a daily basis.... Until yesterday, a little bit of hope rested with the EU, or let us be more precise, with some politicians of the EU who haggled with the rulers in Algiers about things they were allowed to say during their trip to Algeria. But they were not allowed to raise embarrassing questions...since this would have raised the question of power in a country in which the army has a lot but the opposition almost nothing to say. The Algiers government said that it would accept assistance in its fight against terrorism and it pretended that the past six years did not reveal that the bloodshed could not be contained with police and military force alone. "But now the weak hopes of the Europeans have now also been in vain. Obviously, the Europeans did not want to submit to the censorship of the hosts and the visit was canceled.... What can now be done to exert influence on the country? Economic threatening gestures will hardly impress the rulers in Algiers. There coffers have been filed with record yields from oil and gas businesses deals as hardly before in the past. Sanctions also harbor the risk of continuing to weaken the discredited state power but, at the same time, of strengthening the terrorists and of encouraging them of committing even greater barbarities. It seems that Algeria's youth is not the only one that is left by Allah." "Mediation Mission" Immo Vogel commented on ARD-TV's (national channel one) late evening newscast Tagesthemen (1/14): "The Algerian government has been unable to create a democratically open climate and to enter into a dialogue with everybody who is willing to do so. This is where we must offer assistance. This could be diplomatic assistance, but it must take place in a vigorous manner. And this energy should not weaken when our interests in Algerian oil and gas supplies are involved. If the EU troika really travels to Algiers, it should also be willing to risk short-term economic interests in order to achieve long-term goals. It would be appropriate for the EU to practice finally a foreign policy that deserves its name." "U.S. Superpower Could Use Its Influence" Right-of-center Koelnische Rundschau judged (1/14), "It is an open secret that some of the 'Arab brother countries,' probably with Saudi Arabia at the helm, support the murderous gangs with money and arms. In this respect, the U.S. superpower could use its influence." "No Domestic Policy Affair" Right-of-center Maerkische Oderzeitung of Frankfurt on the Oder stated (1/12) in an editorial by Uwe Krueger: "From the Pope to the religious leaders in Iran everybody agrees: The massacres in Algeria must stop. But nobody has shown an approach on how this can be achieved. The regime in Algiers does not want to show its hand. This nurtures the suspicion that the fanatic Islamic opposition is not solely responsible for the bloodshed without end. In view of the estimated 80,000 people who have been killed so far, only massive interference from the outside can help. The hesitant EU attempt to support the victims is going to the right direction but this is not enough. the Algiers government must allow independent observers a view onto the real situation. For a long time, the uninhibited killing of defenseless civilians has no longer been a domestic affair." ITALY: "Another Defeat In Mediterranean For Europe" Alberto Negri commented in leading business Il Sole-24 Ore (1/15): "Algiers' 'big refusal' can be a surprise only for distracted Brussels bureaucrats.... Political Europe has been a cynical spectator of the massacre as much as the Algerian government, now accused of being unable to protect the population, or even of being involved in the massacres. The result is clear to everybody. The Algerian government can afford to slam the door on the European troika and this Mediterranean tragedy, long ignored, is turning into a European failure, to which we can add the Middle East and Turkey. The list grows longer by the day." "Wrong Steps By All Sides" A commentary in left-leaning, influential La Repubblica (1/12) by economic/political commentator Mario Pirani focuse on the dispute created by Italian Foreign Minister Dini's recent telephone conversation with the Iranian foreign minister about the situation in Algeria and the latter's irritation over Dini's initiative. Pirani wrote: "In trying to explain the extravagant Italian initiative...we should keep in mind that, some time ago, the ENI (Italian state oil company) gas pipeline in Algeria was the target of a terrorist attack and supplies to Italy were interrupted for four days. We can guess that the increased goodwill recently shown by the Iranian government towards the West has prompted Minister Dini's opening towards Iran, since it is the country in the best position to convince the terrorists to spare the pipeline network which provides supplies to Italy. An exercise in oil diplomacy which we cannot condemn. However, since this kind of diplomacy often contradicts official policy, it requires maximum secrecy and, should it be discovered, the promptest and most impudent denial. Let alone TV interviews." BELGIUM: "Algerian Government Has Key To Solution To Terror In Its Hands" Foreign affairs writerJim Lannoo stated (1/13) in business Financieel- Economische Tijd, "Despite the international community's considerable response, the possibility to enter into action is limited. A military intervention is to be ruled out for several reasons. First, Algiers does not want to hear about it. Second, there will be hardly any countries willing to send soldiers into the Algerian hornets' nest. Moreover, it is absolutely unclear against whom an intervention force will have to act. Even an embargo...on Algerian oil and gas exports--the artery of the economy--would not bring solace. Indeed, such an embargo would hit mainly the people.... Consequently, the hands of the international community seem to be tied. That means that the ball is in the Algerian camp.... It is very likely, however, that Algiers will not take initiatives to take measures itself, as was the case in the past. Only through sufficient international pressure will something start to move in Algeria to possibly begin to end the terror. Only if that is the case will the recent sacrifices not have been in vain." "The Silence Of Power" Catholic Vers l'Avenir (1/10) opined, "The armed forces' apparent powerlessness, the silence of power, its stubborn refusal of an international investigation are unavoidably sowing doubt. 'If it has nothing to hide, it should let us work,' say in substance the human rights organizations. We do not disagree with them." "Two Algerias" In socialist La Wallonie (1/10) and socialist Le Peuple (1/12) Robert Falony wrote: "There are indeed two Algerias, that of President Zeroual, of good business, of oil and gas contracts. That Algeria is not threatened by terrorism and it suits the IMF perfectly well. And then, there is the suffering Algeria, with its populations taken hostage and abandoned to the wild beasts.... If Western European governments want to be heard from the Algerian government, they must question the oil and the gas contracts. The time is even propitious to do so, with low oil prices and abundant supply." "Americans Fed Up" Foreign affairs writer Joost Loncin in labor Catholic Het Volk (1/7) observed: "The fact that the United States is demanding clarity should be a signal to the regime. The Americans have enormous oil interests in the country. Because they are allergic to fundamentalists, they have always supported Algeria's regime. However, they are now fed up with the army's passiveness vis-a-vis the terrorists." "Important Turnabout" In conservative Catholic La Libre Belgique (1/7) foreign editor Gerald Papy wrote: "The step taken by Washington represents an important turnabout.... The Americans--and the Europeans--probably have the necessary means of pressure to make the Zeroual regime accept its principle. But one should also make sure that the mission is not so impeded that the outcome of its research is jeopardized, as was the case in the Congo." CANADA: "Sign Of Light In Algeria" The liberal Montreal Gazette (1/12) opined before Algeria's refusal of the EU delegation, "For the first time in the six-year civil war...Algeria's military-backed government might allow an international mission into the country.... Even though Algerian President Liamine Zeroual has rejected any kind of inquiry into the violence, the mere presence of a multinational fact-finding mission is an essential first step to dealing with the horror of repeated, large- scale massacres. Having made this first step, the EU must carry through on its initiative and not allow its representatives to be dictated to by the Algerian government. It must push for a thorough and truthful investigation into the murky question of who is responsible for the killings. Nothing can be done to stop the vilolence until it is established who is responsible.... As outside investigators...start to arrive in Algeria, other Western and Arab nations should use the opportunity to add their voices and impress on Algeria the need to accept outside help in ending the war.... This is one of the rare instances where the international community is of one mind. Algeria evidently is very unwilling to comply. And the fact remains that the European Union has little practical leverage over Algeria, since its trade with the North African nation is small. But international pressure has an undeniable effect.... For the terrified citizens of Algeria, convinced that their government has abandoned them, the outside world is their only hope." THE NETHERLANDS: "Iran Offers Its Mediation Services" Amsterdam-based, financial Het Financieele Dagblad carried this inside page analysis (1/13): "It is remarkable that Iran has offered its services to reach a dialogue in Algeria between the regime of President Zeroual and the FIS and possible other Muslim movements. Iranian President Khatami probably has two reasons for this decision: Tehran is looking for an opportunity to refute earlier Western allegations that both the Algerian regime and Iran support and encourage the revolution of the Algerian Muslims; the second reason could be that Iran is trying to show the world that it is serious about adopting a more constructive foreign policy which could end Iran's isolation. " "International Investigations" Influential, liberal De Volkskrant editorialized (1/9): "If the Algerian government continues to pretend that there is nothing wrong, then it does create an impression of complicity.... Only through independent international investigations, as requested by the UN and the U.S./EU, can the real situation be clarified." POLAND: "Democracies Do Not Cut Throats" Centrist Rzeczpospolita ran this article in by Kazimierz Dziewanowski, former Polish ambassador to the U.S. (1/10-11): "With so many atrocities committed in the world, it is futile to discuss which one is more horrible than the others. What has been occurring in Algeria, however, is something possibly the most atrocious and simply unthinkable.... The terror in Algerian villages exceeds any [known] categories. People should not cut other people's throats or burn them alive, especially so with respect to women and children. How citizens of one country can do such horrible things to their compatriots, with whom they are not on a war footing, is simply not possible to understand." RUSSIA: "Algeria Prefers U.S. To Europe" Aleksandr Shumilin observed in reformist, business-oriented Kommersant Daily (1/15): "The EU has not given up trying to influence the situation in Algeria, the scene of a six-year terrorist rampage, especially as the Union's ultimate goal is to secure its economic interests in that oil- and gas-rich country. It has been reported informally that the Europeans aren't trusted much in Algeria, their objectivity questioned by the the local authorities. By contrast, the Americans are said to be more understanding and very supportive, and that combines with economic cooperation between Algeria and the United States." "Authorities Helpless In The Face Of Terror" Yulia Petrovskaya said in centrist Nezavisimaya Gazeta (1/13): "As of now it is obvious that the government can't cope with Islamist militants. The military and civilians are split on how to deal with the terrorists. At the same time, it is hard to see how other countries can really help. The conflict in Algeria, according to UN experts, is very specific and strictly internal, not threatening to spread beyond the national borders. Besides, the Algerian authorities have officially turned down all foreign aid offered to resolve the problem." SPAIN: "Algeria" J. R. Gonzalez Cabezas deplored in Barcelona's centrist La Vanguardia(1/14): "Algeria is in a state of disintegration. It isn't that central author ity doesn't exist; it simply doesn't govern, confining itself to the control of the petroleum economy.... It is well known that nothing provokes humanitarian concern as much as economic or geostrategic interests. At the present time, no one in Algeria knows where the power lies, not today nor in the future. Given this vacuum, no one knows who is doing the killing, in whose name, or of how many, which is why the reports of horrific happenings in that country at times lack a framework of understanding.... The truth is being held hostage. Thus, when the Pope declares that 'no one can kill in the name of God,' one wonders whether this is a plea or a condemnation.... Instead of making impossible demands for precise body-counts, what needs to be investigated is the authorship of these cruel massacres in order to find out why." TURKEY: "The World Is Helpless Again" Sami Kohen wrote in mass-appeal Milliyet (1/13), "The massacres in algeria are increasing, and every week more horrifying than ever reports appear. And what is the whole world doing regarding this drama? The international community's reaction, unfortunately, reminds me of the initial reaction to the Bosnian civil war. In other words, the international community is not taking any measures to prevent the massacres, but only expressing concern and disappointment. The Islamic countries, OIC in particular, should take the initiative. But there is nothing coming on that side. The United Nations did not even include Algeria in its agenda. As for the United States and EU, there are only initial signs that they plan to take the initiative. The Clinton administration wants an inspection team to be sent to Algeria. And the EU plans to send another group within the framework of 'cooperation against terrorism under war conditions,' in an attempt to persuade the Algerian government.... Of course, sending foreign troops to Algeria or foreign intervention is not the way to end the ongoing drama in this country. It should be up to the Algerian government and its security forces to decide the ways and means to prevent these massacres. However, the international community has a responsibility to show sensitivity, and help find out what is really going on in Algeria." SOUTH ASIA IRAN: "The Butchers Of Algeria" Daily Tehran Kayhan International opined (1/8), "In the North African state of Algeria, human rights are being sacrificed at the altar of politics. The merciless slaughter of innocent Algerians is becoming a routine affair. The finger of suspicion, of course, points to the complicity of the government, headed by Liamine Zeroual, and the military in the horrible massacres. The military which has propped up Zeroual, plays a central role in Algeria and since it commands considerable sway in internal politics, it is also responsible for the law and order situation in the country. But, as it has failed to provide security, it becomes evident that the army is in cahoots with the regime in the butchering of the Algerians with the malicious intention of tarnishing the name of the Islamists.... The world community has been rendered powerless by the refusal of Algiers to allow an international fact-finding mission or even a European Union team to inquire into the human rights violations.... Algeria, or rather its people, needs a helping hand from the international community whether the government likes it or not. International pressure should be kept up on Algiers to see reason, since there is no justification." "OIC Now Or Nuremberg Later" The official, English-language Iran News opined (1/7), "The actions of Algeria's generals are a clear indication of their wish to dominate the country's political system and exclude the population from participation in the political process while the rest of the world, on the eve of the 21st century, is marching toward democracy, political representation and freedom. "International human rights organizations and other groups pretending to be guardians of freedom and justice have been silent regarding the Algerian crisis and the ongoing genocide in that country. [German Foreign Minister] Kinkel's suggestion [that the European Union become involved], if adopted by the EU, would be a truly positive step in the direction of resolving the Algerian problem. However, considering the fact that Algeria is a Muslim country and a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), it is the duty of OIC to get actively involved in the Algerian issue and to go further than just releasing statements and adopting non-binding resolutions. Islamic countries, regional groupings and alliances, including the Organization of African Unity (OAU) should put pressure on the Algerian government and bring an end to these massacres." BANGLADESH: "Genocide In Algeria Should Stop" In the view of conservative Ittefaq (1/14), "The Islamists are being held responsible for the ominous killing that is taking so many innocent lives. So far, the government version has been taken as true outside the country. Now, many analysts doubt that government hands may be behind the killings.... Many observers believe that the UN must finally do something to stop the killing. It could begin by sending an international commission to Algeria. They think that international pressure is enough to make the Algerian government agree to a commission.... We think that the international community must put pressure on the government to establish a genuine democracy through a free, fair and acceptable election side by side of saving the innocent people from the fundamentalist hyenas. We do not think that a permanent peace will be established in Algeria without genuine democracy." "UN Investigation Team Is Needed For Algeria" Conservative Islamic Sangram maintained (1/12), "The Geneva-based UN Human rights commission has said that they are planning to send a delegation (to Algeria) as a first step to investigate genocide. The UN and its members can easily save the people of many countries from tyranny. There are precedents.... But in many cases, the UN shows negligence at the beginning. It usually only becomes active after scores of human lives are lost. The case of Bosnia is a glaring example. The same is happening in Algeria. Any delay in taking action by the UN cannot be justified against the backdrop of atrocious incidents of genocide and the continuous violation of human rights in Algeria. We think that the UN should take speedy measures to investigate genocide in Algeria, unmask the real killers and punish them, in order to save the people." INDIA: "Truth Or Dare" The centrist Telegraph of Calcutta commented (1/15): "There is increasing grounds for Algiers to reconsider its position, especially toward the EU which is its largest trading partner and closest political ally. This is because...massacres are starting to undermine the government's credibility both at home and overseas.... The real question is whether the government is deliberately encouraging the massacres, by direct involvement or by deliberately refusing to prevent them.... The apoplexy with which Algiers reacts to any request for an independent look into the killings has strengthened the suspicion...that something is rotten in the state. The Algerian government...can still count on much international support given fears of fundamentalism. But it will not help its cause if it does not help scotch worries that the massacres indicate either a counter insurgency operation gone amok or an attempt to sabotage peace negotiations by army hardliners. And suspicions cannot be abated except through neutral inquiry. In battling insurgencies, half the war is waged over intangibles like popular support and official credibility and legitimacy. By adopting a hedgehog policy towards external requests for greater transparency, the Algiers regime will find itself losing the battle for such intangibles on the home front." "No Solution In Sight To Algerian Imbroglio" An editorial page analysis in Hindi-language Rajasthan Patrika (1/13) said, "France is witnessing a deluge of Algerian refugees. The four million Muslims in France sympathize with the Algerians and want France to intervene in the crisis. This has left France in a dilemma. If it intervenes as it is being expected to do, it will be seen as being supportive of a military dictatorship. If it takes the side of the democrats, then it will have to support the Nizam-e-Mustafa.... An enhanced role in the crisis is being expected of France because of its colonial association with Algeria.... Over the past five years, however, France's peace initiatives have been in vain." "Algeria In A Time Of Massacre" An editorial page article in the centrist Telegraph (1/12) by columnist A.N.D. Haksar from Calcutta noted, "As the violence escalated, hawks and doves...are pondering an eventual Islamicist takeover.... This could happen in three ways. One, a gradual Islamicist ascendancy following a tactical powersharing compromise with the government. Two, a fragmenting of Algeria with some parts under Islamic control. Three, a governmental collapse, as happened in Iran. An Islamic regime...would have an effect similar to that of the 1979 Iranian revolution.... This could destabilize moderate Arab regimes, undermine South Europe's security and affect U.S. interests.... The West should wholeheartedly back Algiers. Until recently the United States, France and other countries were doing just that. But calls for peace missions and similar conflict resolution policies point to a new, unstated Western policy of promoting power- sharing." "Islamic Orientation Issue Of Conflict In Moderate Nations" The "Global Watch" column in the pro-economic-reforms Economic Timesby pundit K. Subrahmanyam said (1/12), " While the Islamic states raise hue and cry when they have a case against a non-Islamic state they have chosen to keep totally silent on this carnage as they did during the Iraq-Iran war and do in respect of Afghanistan.... "There are not enough multiparty democracies in Islamic countries to give confidence that Islamic parties, especially those who profess loyalty to Islamic orthodoxy and revivalism, would play politics according to democratic rules of the game. Generally they do not subscribe to the principle of separation of state and religion.... The kind of outrages perpetrated on tourists in Egypt recently by Islamic extremist groups does not make Islamic parties credible for democratic interaction.... It is also an overlooked fact that a majority of the Islamic population live outside the area of conflict where Islam is the issue. The majority of the Muslims in the world are in Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Central Asian republics and elsewhere. Islam is seen as a source of extremism only in the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan." AFRICA BURKINA FASO: "Algeria--The Stranglehold Of External 'Interference'" According to independent Le Pays's "Internal Dialogue" (1/13), "The decision of the Arab League, Canada and the European Union to send an investigation mission to this country is revealing of the new attitudes of the Algerian authorities who seem to have watered down their usual intransigence. Even if they do their utmost to insist on the fact that such missions must have only the vague objective in the fight against terrorism, it doesn't lessen the fact that they [are trying to avoid] the universal condemnation of their way of dealing with the Algerian drama. In any case, the idea that dominates in all the chanceries is that the only way of removing the suspicions that weigh on them consists of the Algerian authorities allowing an international investigation mission as suggested by the United States, to determine responsibilities in the massacres of populations.... Unfortunately, the escalating cycle of violence and repression has never resolved political problems. Again, the Algerian leaders must recognize their part in the responsibility in this imbroglio. Hence their reluctance in the setting up of an investigation committee." KENYA: "Algerians Cry For End To Massacres" The centrist Daily Nation's editorial held (1/13) prior to Algeria's refusal to admit the EU delegation: "The frequency and savagery of the attacks and the increasingly high casualties are a clear indication that the government cannot expect to contain the attacks. In this light, it is encouraging that the government has accepted to meet a mission from the European Union to advise on how to counter Islamic extremists. We hope it is a start to getting a formula that will bring to an end the bloodbath that has come to characterize life in Algeria." EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC INDONESIA: "End Algerian Tragedy" The leading, independent, English-language Jakarta Post said (1/15): "Both the Western and Arab delegations, for humanitarian reasons, should adopt a firm stance in persuading the Algiers government to take concrete measures to protect its people from becoming targets of further massacres, considering that the military-backed government of President Liamine Zeroual has proven to be ineffective in combating years of violence. Equally important for the missions to undertake is to find out who the culprits are amid allegations that the security troops could also be implicated in the countless massacres in Algeria so as to tarnish the image of FIS members." LATIN AMERICA ARGENTINA: "Dead-End Tragedy" Rolando Riviere, daily-of-record La Nacion's Europe-based correspondent, wrote from Madrid (1/13) concerning a European mission to Algeria: "Imagine an Austrian, a Brit and a Luxembourg citizen trying to capture, not the essence of these assasins' groups, whether fundamentalist or not, but the idiosyncrasy of a millenial and distant people, who live and sleep in a different manner, in spite of being only 200 kilometers away from Europe. Will they outline a catalog with the GIA, the FIS, and Hamas's softer elements in a separate chapter? Will they worry about not annoying anyone, making sure that the refineries and gas are safe? And the killings? They will continue. Death is not called out in the Stock Exchange." COSTA RICA: "Cycle Of Barbarism" Conservative La Nacion observed (1/15): "Last June, the first multiparty parliamentary elections since 1992 were conducted... the results confirmed the general repudiation of the excesses of the radical Islamic fundamentalists. Unfortunately, this small democratic opening did not diminish the violence.... The EU will send emissaries to Algeria to explore ways to resolve the conflict. Hopefully these actions will translate into more democracy, without which Algeria will never achieve peace." ## For more information, please contact: U.S. Information Agency Office of Public Liaison Telephone: (202) 619-4355 1/15/98 # # #Middle East Europe South Asia Africa Latin America and the Caribbean
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