DATE=1/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225269
TITLE=ALGERIA EUROPE (S/L)
BYLINE=JESSICA JONES
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: ALGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AHMAD ATTAF SAYS HIS COUNTRY
WILL NOT ALLOW A EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO VISIT AND DISCUSS
THE VIOLENCE WHICH HAS LEFT MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND CIVILIANS DEAD
IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. JESSICA JONES REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE
EAST BUREAU.
TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER ATTAF ANNOUNCED HIS GOVERNMENT'S REJECTION
OF THE PROPOSED E-U MISSION AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN ALGIERS
WEDNESDAY.
HE TOLD REPORTERS THE EUROPEAN UNION IS NOT READY TO OFFER HELP
IN COMBATTING TERRORISM, ADDING THAT THERE WOULD BE NO MEANING OR
SUBSTANCE TO THE PROPOSED MISSION.
THE FOREIGN MINISTER ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE E-U PLANNED TO SEND
ONLY A LOW-LEVEL DELEGATION THAT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE
PLANNED DISCUSSIONS.
THE E-U VOICED DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE ALGERIAN DECISION.
///REMAINDER OPT FOR LONG C-R///
EARLIER WEDNESDAY, BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK, WHOSE
GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY CHAIRS THE E-U, SAID THE PLANNED MISSION WAS
INTENDED TO DEMONSTRATE THE STRONG FEELINGS OF THE PEOPLES OF
EUROPE FOR THE SUFFERING OF THE ALGERIAN PEOPLE.
ALGERIAN OFFICIALS CHARGE THAT E-U GOVERNMENTS HAVE NOT DONE
ENOUGH TO CRACK DOWN ON ISLAMIST EXTREMISTS LIVING IN EXILE IN
WESTERN EUROPE.
ALGIERS HAS ALSO OBJECTED TO REPEATED CALLS IN EUROPE FOR AN
INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE VIOLENCE.
SOME HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY THE ALGERIAN GOVERNMENT IS AT LEAST
PARTLY TO BLAME FOR THE BLOODSHED. BUT FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK
SAID HE HAS SEEN NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE ALLEGATIONS.
MR. COOK SAID HE HAS ASKED ALGERIAN AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW THE
BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN ALGIERS TO VISIT THE SITES OF THE LATEST
MASSACRES -- IN THE WESTERN REGION OF RELIZANE AND IN THE FARM
BELT SOUTH OF THE CAPITAL.
IT IS NOT YET CLEAR WHETHER ALGERIAN AUTHORITIES WILL AGREE TO
THE PROPOSAL.
//REST SUB OPT FOR LONG // THE VIOLENCE BEGAN IN EARNEST IN 1992,
WHEN THE MILITARY-BACKED GOVERNMENT CANCELLED ELECTIONS THE
ISLAMIC SALVATION FRONT WAS POISED TO WIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/JJ/DBR/PCF
14-Jan-98 11:55 AM EST (1655 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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