DATE=1/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225841
TITLE=E-U ALGERIA (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN FRASER
DATELINE=BRUSSELS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE 15 FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE
DISCUSSED THE CRISIS IN ALGERIA, AND HAVE CALLED ON THE ALGERIAN
GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE OPEN ABOUT THE TERRORIST ATTACKS THERE
WHICH HAVE LED TO THOUSANDS OF DEATHS. THE MINISTERS MET ON
MONDAY AT E-U HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS, WHERE JOHN FRASER
REPORTS:
TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE HEARD A REPORT
FROM A BRITISH-LED DIPLOMATIC MISSION WHICH VISITED ALGERIA LAST
WEEK, TO ASSESS THE SITUATION THERE, AND TO SEE WHAT EUROPE CAN
DO TO TRY TO HELP BRING AN END TO THE VIOLENCE.
THE 15 FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE AGREED TO A DECLARATION EXPRESSING
DEEP CONCERN OVER THE SITUATION IN ALGERIA AND STRONG SYMPATHY
FOR THE SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE THERE. THEY STRONGLY CONDEMN ALL
ACTS OF TERRORISM AND INDISCRIMINATE VIOLENCE, AND REITERATE
THEIR COMMITMENT TO HELP WHEREVER POSSIBLE TO HELP END THE
VIOLENCE.
THE DECLARATION ALSO EXPRESSES REGRET THAT THE ALGERIAN
AUTHORITIES HAVE TURNED DOWN AN OFFER OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.
IT ALSO DEMANDS GREATER OPENNESS FROM THE ALGERIAN GOVERNMENT
ABOUT THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND, IN WHICH TERRORIST GROUPS ARE
COMMITTING WHAT THE E-U MINISTERS DESCRIBED AS COWARDLY AND
BRUTAL ATTACKS ON INNOCENT CIVILIANS.
THE E-U STATEMENT CALLS ON THE ALGERIAN AUTHORITIES TO PROVIDE
GREATER ACCESS FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS AND THE MEDIA.
AND THE EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE CALLED ON THE ALGERIAN
GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT A VISIT FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED
NATIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THERE WAS ALSO A CALL FOR MORE CONTACTS BETWEEN EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENTARIANS AND THEIR ALGERIAN COUNTERPARTS, AND A GENERAL
WELCOME FOR THE NEWS THAT THE ALGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IS
EXPECTED TO VISIT LONDON SOON. BRITAIN CURRENTLY HOLDS THE
PRESIDENCY OF THE E-U AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COORDINATION OF
E-U FOREIGN POLICY.
OFFICIALS SAY THAT THERE WAS A DISCUSSION OF WHETHER OR NOT THE
ALGERIAN AUTHORITIES THEMSELVES MAY BE BACKING SOME OF THE GROUPS
WHICH HAVE BEEN COMMITTING MASSACRES. BUT THEY SAID FOREIGN
MINISTERS CONCLUDED THAT THE ALGERIAN GOVERNMENT CANNOT BE BLAMED
FOR THE SITUATION.
//REST OPT// THERE WAS A FEELING AMONG THE E-U MINISTERS THAT IT
IS STILL EARLY DAYS, AND THAT IT WILL BE SOME TIME BEFORE THE
EXPECTATIONS WHICH WERE RAISED BY THE E-U MISSION TO ALGERIA WILL
PRODUCE CONCRETE RESULTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/PCF
26-Jan-98 8:47 AM EST (1347 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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