DATE=8/30/1999
TYPE=EDITORIAL
TITLE=ALGERIA'S SEARCH FOR PEACE
NUMBER=0-08430
CONTENT=
THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO EDITORIALS BEING
RELEASED FOR BROADCAST 8/30/99.
Anncr: The Voice of America presents differing
points of view on a wide variety of issues. Next,
an editorial expressing the policies of the United
States Government:
Voice: In July, Algeria hosted the annual summit
of the Organization of African Unity. Participants
and observers agreed it was the most successful in
years, giving a fresh impetus to an institution
designed to advance the continent's political,
economic, and diplomatic agendas. Much of the
credit was given to Algeria's new president,
Abdelaziz Bouteflika [Ahb-del-ahzeez Boo-the-
FLEE-kah].
He used the occasion to urge his countrymen to
move rapidly toward national reconciliation.
Algeria has been plagued by terrorist violence for
a decade. Islamic fundamentalist insurgents have
waged a brutal campaign to overthrow the
government. Security forces have responded with
brutal tactics of their own. By official count,
some one-hundred thousand people have been killed.
But recently the leaders of a major insurgent
group, the Islamic Salvation Army, accepted a
truce, and much of the violence has subsided.
Algerians could take a further step toward
reconciliation next month when they vote on a
limited amnesty plan for the insurgents. The
amnesty would not apply to those guilty of murder
and rape. In addition, President Bouteflika is
replacing high civil servants in many of the
country's forty-seven states. The ostensible
purpose of these moves is to improve governance.
But some groups are opposed to any effort by the
government to make life better for Algerians. This
month, near the city of Medea [Meh-deh-ah],
fourteen children were massacred while
participating in a religious ritual. A few days
earlier, twenty-nine bus-passengers were reported
murdered. There also have been murderous attacks
on soldiers. Since July, one-hundred thirty
murders have been officially attributed to
political terrorists. Those believed to be
responsible are members of the Armed Islamic
Group, the most sanguinary of the insurgent
groups.
The violence is intended to derail Algeria's hopes
for reconciliation and undermine efforts to
restore normal political activity. The terrorism
is also intended to undercut Algerian diplomatic
efforts to restore the country's normal
international position. The terrorists must not
be allowed to succeed. The Algerian people's long
ordeal is not over, but President Bouteflika is
offering a way out of it. Those who would
sabotage his initiative for peace are the ones to
blame if the tragedy continues in Algeria.
Anncr: That was an editorial expressing the
policies of the United States Government. If you
have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A,
Washington, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. You may also
comment at www-dot-voa-dot-gov-slash-editorials,
or fax us at (202) 619-1043.
27-Aug-1999 12:08 PM EDT (27-Aug-1999 1608 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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