DATE=5/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALGERIA - VIOLENCE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261969
BYLINE=LISA BRYANT
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Reports from Algeria say Islamic militants
have killed at least 19 people and wounded another 26
in what appears to be the worst flare up of violence
to hit the North African country in recent months.
From Cairo, Lisa Bryant reports the news comes during
a rare visit to Algeria by the human rights group,
Amnesty International.
TEXT: Local residents say Islamic rebels opened fire
on a bus after the driver refused to stop at a false
road block about 75 kilometers south of Algiers. It is
unclear exactly what happened after that. Some reports
say the rebels first shot several passengers before
pushing the bus into a ravine -- and later hacked
others to death. Other dispatches say the attackers
set the bus on fire before fleeing.
If true, the reported massacre presents a sharp
setback for Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika,
who came to power a year ago promising to restore
peace to the violence-torn country.
Official reports estimate 100 thousand people have
been killed in clashes between the government and
Islamic insurgents since 1992. But death tolls have
dropped over the last year, and two Islamic rebel
groups have since disbanded.
Foreign companies are again showing interest in doing
business in Algeria. Even a few tourists are returning
to the country's Sahara desert, once a favorite
destination spot for European trekkers.
But although Mr. Bouteflika enjoys popular support,
some analysts remain skeptical about his promises. Two
of Algeria's most militant rebel groups are still
fighting.
Besides vows to end violence, the President says he
will reform Algeria's judiciary and financial system,
speed up privatization and stamp out corruption. But
critics say that so long as the military remains the
true power in
Algeria, President Bouteflika's proposed reforms will
be limited.
The latest massacre took place as a team from Amnesty
International is touring the country. The visit is the
first by an international human rights group in five
years. Mr. Bouteflika has invited four international
groups into the country between now and June.
But diplomats and human rights activists doubt the
groups will be allowed to investigate alleged abuses
by the military. Among other charges, the military is
accused of the disappearances of thousands of
Algerians during the country's civil strife. (SIGNED)
NEB/LB/GE/PLM
04-May-2000 06:28 AM EDT (04-May-2000 1028 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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