DATE=1/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALGERIA-TERROR CONFERENCE (L)
NUMBER=2-258578
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Algeria, delegates from 20 Arab countries
are holding a three-day conference aimed at developing
regional strategies to combat terrorism.
Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from our Middle East
bureau in Cairo the delegates are meeting in a country
that has made significant progress toward ending an
eight-year war with Islamic extremists.
TEXT: Arab interior ministers are examining ways to
cooperate in the fight against violence, organized
crime, and drug trafficking. But the delegates'
attention from the beginning has been focussed on
complaints that some member countries encourage
terrorism in other countries.
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika set the tone
in an opening speech that accused some Arab leaders of
ignoring the real nature of the crisis and, according
to the Algerian president, in some cases of
contributing to it.
President Bouteflika noted that the eight-years of
violence in which 100-thousand people have been killed
in his country could happen anywhere. He said the
forces of hatred and evil could rise again if leaders
do not draw the right lessons.
The Algerian government has accused some neighboring
countries of allowing Algerian rebels safe haven in
their territory, and wealthy individuals in other
countries of supporting the rebels financially.
Arab leaders two-years ago adopted a five-year plan to
coordinate their struggle against violence. The
Algerian government has been seeking to end an Islamic
insurgency through a combination of negotiations and
force
Officials say 80-percent of the estimated five-
thousand rebels have laid down their arms under an
amnesty that expired two-weeks ago. Security forces
have launched an offensive as part of a program to
eliminate by force those rebels who reject the offer.
The largest rebel group, the Islamic Salvation Army,
has dissolved in exchange for a general amnesty. Some
rebels from other groups have also taken advantage of
a partial amnesty, but two smaller groups have
rejected the offer and vowed to continue their
attacks.
More than 100-rebels, government troops, and civilians
have been killed since the amnesty expired. (SIGNED)
NEB/FSB/RAE
30-Jan-2000 11:42 AM EDT (30-Jan-2000 1642 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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