President Of Algeria
Visits to the U.S. by Foreign Heads of State and Government--1985
DateVisitorCountryDescriptionJanuary 1-2, 1985Prime Minister Yasuhiro NakasoneJapanOfficial Working Visit in Los Angeles.January 13-15, 1985Prime Minister Wilfried MartensBelgiumOfficial Working Visit. Private visit to Boston (Massachusetts) afterwards.January 31-February 3, 1985President-elect Tancredo NevesBrazilPrivate visit. Met with President Reagan February 1.February 5-7, 1985Prime Minister Robert J. L. HawkeAustraliaOfficial Working Visit. Private visit to New York City afterward.February 7-10, 1985King FahdSaudi ArabiaState Visit.February 19-21, 1985Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher [Read More]
2003
(Dec. 9): "We look forward to working in deeper partnership with African nations to build a world of democracy, a world of prosperity and a world of security for all of our peoples. We have a comprehensive set of programs to deal with the challenges that African nations face...." [ full text] ... [Read More]
Remarks With Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem Upon Arrival in Algeria
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Remarks After Meeting With Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
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Press Briefing With Algerian Foreign Minister Belkhadem
SECRETARY POWELL: No, there is no sense of competition between us and our European friends. I planned this visit because I was able to be in the Maghreb between two European meetings I have, and I will be leaving tonight for Brussels. There is no need for us to have competition. Maghreb is an important part of the world, and I am pleased that President Chriac is visiting here. And, I am also pleased that a variety of meetings will take place this week that includes the 5+5. I think it really shows the importance of this part of the world, rather than the basis of competition between the United States and its European friends. ... [Read More]
Algeria
On June 27, the Government enacted a series of amendments to the Penal Code that give the Government authority to impose high fines and harsh jail sentences in cases in which reporters "defame insult or injure" government officials. Government officials include the President, Members of Parliament, judges, members of the military, and "any other authority of public order." Under the new law, any person found guilty of defaming the President may be sentenced to between 3 and 12 months in prison and a fine of between $649 (50,000 dinars) and $3,247 (250,000 dinars). The punishments are doubled for repeat offenders. Under the new law, publications whose employees are found guilty of an offense against the President may be fined from $6,494 (500,000 dinars) to $32,468 (2,500,000 dinars). Editors and owners of such publications may also be prosecuted. Broad provisions in the new law provide for prison terms of between 2 and 24 months and fines ranging from $129 (10,000 dinars) to $6,494 (50 ... [Read More]
Algeria
There were no credible reports during the year of disappearances in which the security forces were implicated. However, local NGOs reported a new trend of prolonged detention ranging from 8 to 18 months that was frequently reported as a disappearance until the person in question was returned to his or her family. These "new" disappearances at the hands of security forces often differed in duration and outcome from the disappearances which occurred in the country during the first half of the 1990s that remained unresolved. These incidents remained contrary to the legal procedures stipulated in the country's penal code and its Constitution. There have been credible reports of thousands of disappearances occurring over a period of several years in the mid-90s, many of which involved the security forces. A Ministry of Interior office in each district accepts cases from resident families of those reported missing. Credible sources state that the offices provided little useful i ... [Read More]
Algeria
Algeria is a multiparty republic based upon a constitution and a presidential form of government. The head of state is elected by popular, secret vote to a 5-year term. The president has the constitutional authority to appoint and dismiss cabinet members, as well as the Prime minister who acts as the head of government. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was last elected in 1999, running unopposed after the other candidates withdrew on the eve of the election citing voting fraud. Bouteflika is not formally affiliated with any political party. The next presidential elections are scheduled for April 2004. The country has a bicameral parliament consisting of the National People's Assembly (lower house) and the Council of the Nation (upper house). All members of the Assembly are elected by popular vote, while two-thirds of the Council is elected by the local (state) assemblies and the remaining one-third are appointed by the President. Elections were h ... [Read More]
Algeria
Four journalists were imprisoned for the first time, unlike in previous years when only fines were imposed. The most prominent case was against Mohamed Benchicou, the managing editor of the opposition paper Le Matin and author of a book critical of the president, "Bouteflika--An Algerian Imposter." In February, plainclothes policemen instructed several bookstores not to display Benchicou's book or attempt to sell it; otherwise their copies would be seized. According to the independent press, Minister of the Interior Zerhouni ordered the police to conduct an investigation to determine the publisher of the book and to take all measures to prevent the book from being marketed. Police searched vehicles and the headquarters of Le Matin for copies of the book. Others were detained for questioning by plainclothes policemen in Algiers: Saida Azzouz, a journalist for Le Matin; Ali Dilem, the cartoonist for Liberte; and Hamou L'hadj Azouaou, a chauffeur for Le Matin. While no official reason ... [Read More]
Algeria (12/04)
Faced with the real possibility of a sweeping FIS victory, the National People's Assembly was dissolved by presidential decree on January 4,1992, and on January 11, under pressure of the military leadership, President Chadli Bendjedid resigned. On January 14, a five-member High Council of State was appointed by the High Council of Security to act as a collegiate presidency and immediately canceled the second round of elections. This action, coupled with political uncertainty and economic turmoil, led to a violent reaction on the part of the Islamists. A campaign of terror in the country, including assassinations, bombings, and massacres, commenced. On January 16, Mohamed Boudiaf, a hero of the Liberation War, returned after 28 years of exile to serve as Algeria's fourth president. Facing sporadic outbreaks of violence and terrorism, the security forces took control of the FIS offices, in early February, and the High Council of State declared a state of emergency. In March, following a ... [Read More]
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