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A Special International Report
Prepared by
The Washington Times
Advertising Department - Published on July 2, 1999
[Home Page]
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Advertisers (1) Sonatrach,
An International Petroleum Group
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Country has resources and potential and is moving toward peace
It has chosen a new President whose announced aims seem to be to widen and further
liberalization, to bring peace, first, and then prosperity to the people. Whether he succeeds depends on several factors. His ability to convince the remaining
terrorist groups to surrender, to convince foreign investors that Algeria provides a safe
economic climate and to prove to the people that he is, at last, the fair and just
president that they have all been awaiting - and not just a continuation of the old regime
thanks to which he came to power. What is sure is that he represents Algeria's last chance, whatever happens he has to
reassure a people that is profoundly disillusioned with its past, with its government and
is no longer duped by a farcical pretense of free choice.
However, the choice of Algeria as the venue of this year's conference of the
Organization of African Unity which begins next week tends to prove that people are
beginning to recognize that the country's security problems are nearly over. This is backed up by a change in attitude by the State Department which has stepped
down its warning level, the readiness of several airlines to resume flights to Algiers and
a sudden influx of foreign businessmen, filling the country's hotels. The people may be divided by racial disparity, but is deeply united as one nation and
when you ask them if they are Arabs or European they reply unanimously "We are just
Algerians." Recent elections have, it is often said, continued a tradition left by their former
colonizers, and been more "creative" than factual. Certainly elections were
canceled, but that was only to stop the islamists getting to power. And it does not matter
if the voting figures in the latest presidential elections were bumped up - because there
was only one candidate - the other six having refused to take part on the eve of the poll
because of alleged unfairness. "Anyway, it doesn't matter about that," as one official said seriously,
"because everyone agrees that Mr. Bouteflika won." Behind the scenes the six mysterious generals form the "pouvoir" (power) and
in times of strife step in paternalistically to make sure that everything carries on. But
they are popularly believed to be behind the riches of the country. Indeed in Algiers a
bridge leading from the harbor has been nicknamed "the bridge of the Generals",
because the people claim it is used to transport "profitmaking" merchandise. As the pouvoir's candidate, only the future will tell whether President Bouteflika will
be allowed to do what he wishes. From the time years ago when he was Algeria's foreign minister he acquired the nickname
"The American". (His main opponent in the recent elections Hamrouche is known as "the man with the
umbrella" because, as an aide, he sheltered a former president.) Its state run industry has been torn down to build up a free market economy and Algeria
presently finds itself in the position of the bride waiting for the suitor, who promised
riches and success in exchange for a complete change of life style. Now those who promised marvels in exchange for Algeria coming to the free market world
have got to come up with the money. During the demolition process some 400,000 people have lost their jobs, and have joined
the 28 per cent of the Algerian population who are unemployed, the "hittistes" -
the people who lean up against the walls. Algeria has suffered. Born out of a violent struggle with a major European nation
colonizer which did not want to give it up, on the rebound it went towards a radical form
of socialism which it is only just outgrowing today - 37 years on. A country which became oil rich only to have its foundations shaken by a major
petroleum price slump, and then to find itself in the middle of a wave of extremist
terrorism, and to become the pariah of the rest of the world during seven years. Algeria is nearly finished with terrorism. Under president Bouteflika one of two major
terrorist organizations - the Islamic Salvation Army (AIS) has agreed on peace and the
other - the Islamic Armed Group (GIA) -will either have to surrender or be hunted down
with aid of their former rivals. Near to the end at last, but has Algeria solved its real problems? Behind this the
majority of the population is poor, the streets are full of unemployed youths, the people
are scarred by the continual danger and fear of unknown and unidentified enemies and they
just reply; "we want peace." Amazingly Algerians have a great ability to smile and laugh - they have needed it. Now
perhaps the rest of the world will give them hope as well. |
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Table of Contents (1) His Excellency
Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria (14) Algeria is gateway to Africa (15) A country made for Tourism (16) A Rich Heritage in Arts and Crafts (17) Casbah's unique beauty to be restored (18) Algeria Facts (19) Privatization goes forward with progress, challenges (20) Country rich in resources, civilization, ambition (21) World renowned hotel carries proud past of history and wealth (22) Fight against terrorism has helped world (23) Banking reforms, foreign investment moving quickly (24) World Bank senses new optimism in Algeria (25) Algerian-American Chamber of Commerce meets to promote trade relations (26) Ministry of Labor promotes programs to reduce unemployment (27) Agriculture potential is tremendous, but investment is needed (28) Algeria adopts new programs to solve water shortages (29) Wine growing provides export income (30) Petroleum companies aware of potential says Sonatrach CEO (31) About Sonatrach (32) Bright future ahead for oil industry (33) Huge oil resources will last for many years (34) The place of small industry in the economy (35) Country's first Bourse to open soon (36) ONAB encourages investors to grasp potential in Algeria (37) The El-Aurassi Hotel plans to go public (38) Enad hopes to partner with leading detergent producers (39) ENGG strives to improve refining system and attract foreign investment (40) Agricultural Bank plans expansion (41) Vehicle manufacturer seeks further investment |
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A giant of a country, plagued by
terrorism and violence, Algeria has enormous resources, a tremendous potential and seems,
at last to be on the path of peace. It is well into the process of stripping itself of its
state run industries and has flung wide the gates to the desperately needed private and
foreign investment that requires to solve its pressing problems - those of housing,
unemployment and poverty.