DATE=1/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALGERIA AMNESTY (L)
NUMBER=2-258077
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Reports from Algeria say security forces are
delaying a military offensive against Islamist rebels.
The hold was ordered while negotiations continue with
one of two rebel groups that have rejected an amnesty
that expired Thursday night. V-O-A Correspondent Scott
Bobb reports from our Middle East Bureau that Algerian
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is expected to speak to
the nation soon about the amnesty and its aftermath.
TEXT: News agencies in Algeria report an increased
military presence in rebel strongholds to the east and
west of the capital, as talks continue between the
government and the leader of a rebel group called
Appeal and Struggle. The leader of these rebels,
Hassan Hattab, reportedly is seeking a general amnesty
similar to one granted three days ago to Algeria's
largest rebel group, the Islamic Salvation Army, in
exchange for its dissolution.
The negotiations come as the deadline expired Thursday
night on a four-month limited amnesty called the Civic
Concord, which was passed by parliament last June and
approved in a popular referendum last September. The
Concord grants amnesty to rebels who have not
committed murder, bombings or rape if they lay down
their weapons. An estimated 15-hundred rebels have
reportedly taken advantage of the offer.
The political wing of the Salvation Army, the Islamic
Salvation Front, has reacted positively to the general
amnesty, calling it a significant step toward
comprehensive national reconciliation. However,
exiled leaders of the Front issued a statement from
Europe urging the Algerian government to release the
Front's leader, Abassi Madani, his deputy, Ali
Belhadj, and six-thousand members reportedly still in
Algerian prisons.
/// REST OPT ///
An estimated 100-thousand people have died in eight
years of violence that began when the military
cancelled national elections that Islamic parties were
poised to win. The Salvation Army declared a cease-
fire two years ago. And it entered into negotiations
with the government shortly after the election of
President Bouteflika last April.
However, hard-line rebels called the Armed Islamic
Group have rejected the negotiations and the amnesty
offer. President Bouteflika has vowed to eliminate
any rebels who do not accept the amnesty and lay down
their weapons. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/GE/JP
14-Jan-2000 11:57 AM EDT (14-Jan-2000 1657 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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