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DATE=1/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALGERIA / ISLAMISTS (L)
NUMBER=2-258370
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The news media in Algeria report at least 100-
people have been killed in several days of fighting 
between Islamic militants and government forces in 
northwestern Algeria.  Middle East Correspondent Scott 
Bobb reports the Algerian media say the fighting is 
the beginning of a government offensive against 
militants who have rejected a recent amnesty offer.
TEXT:  Algerian newspapers report the fighting began 
Friday in the Relizane region, 300-kilometers west of 
Algiers.  They say the casualties include scores of 
Islamic militants, two-dozen government soldiers, and 
a number of civilians.
The newspapers say the fighting is part of a 
government campaign to end eight-years of violence in 
which 100-thousand people have died.
The clashes are said to be with the hard-line Armed 
Islamic Group, which has rejected a government amnesty 
offer.  The amnesty, which expired nearly two-weeks 
ago, offered a pardon to rebels who did not commit 
murder, rape, or bombings if they laid down their 
arms. 
That same week the government also issued a general 
amnesty to Algeria's largest rebel group, the Islamic 
Salvation Army, in exchange for its dissolution.
A government official said last week that as a result 
of the amnesty, about 80-percent of the rebels have 
laid down their arms.  The government has vowed to 
eliminate those rebels who continue their attacks.
In the past two-years, the Algerian government has 
used a combination of negotiations and force to reduce 
the level of violence in most of the country.  But it 
has not been able to completely eliminate the rebels, 
who frequently attack soldiers and paramilitary troops 
at roadblocks or massacre inhabitants of remote 
villages that refuse to cooperate with them.
The violence has turned most of the country against 
the rebels.  And all the candidates in last year's 
presidential election advocated peace and 
reconciliation in their campaigns.
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was elected 
unopposed because his six opponents withdrew after 
citing irregularities, began negotiations with some of 
the rebels and six-months ago proposed the amnesty, 
which was overwhelmingly passed last September in a 
popular referendum.   (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/RAE
24-Jan-2000 11:01 AM EDT (24-Jan-2000 1601 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.