Abbassi Madani breaks silence

Leader of the dissolved-Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) Abbassi Madani broke silence and talked about national dialogue processes with his party at that time. This comes amid political and media controversy raised by General Khaled Nezzar’s remarks about electoral process.

“When he was appointed as national defence minister, General Liamine Zeroual wanted to meet us to find a solution for the crisis. There was an agreement on not closing door to any attempt of dialogue,” Abbassi told a TV satellite channel.

“The meeting was held in total sincerity. Zeroual asked me to condemn violent acts. Yet, I told him we do not condemn but we do actions when we are convinced. So, let’s work together to stop this conflict,” he added.

The FIS’s former leader said he proposed to Zeroual to release his partisans but his idea was rejected and the dialogue was stopped.

Abbassi’s letter behind dialogue with Zeroual

Abbassi Madani said he wanted to resume the suspended dialogue. He sent a letter to the Head of the State Liamine Zeroual ahead of his meeting with accredited parties. It aimed at examining the crisis and reaching a common solution.

“I wrote him to express my readiness for dialogue. I proposed the most feasible solutions and a platform for dialogue,” he added.

He also said President Zeroual accepted the letter and promised to publish and presenting it to parties. “He did that. It was published by national media then cited by international press. He was a responsive person.”

Talks were resumed. The government’s representative was the President’s representative and security advisor Mohamed Betchine.

“Betchine was the first who held the first meeting between FIS and President Chadli Bendjedid,” said Abbassi.

Abbassi: I refused to condemn violence in return for my freedom

Talking about his position towards violence acts Algeria had witnessed following the ban of elections in 1991, the FIS’ leader said he received officer Bouazza while he was in jail. The latter told him he should write a letter to call for stopping violence. Then, he would be released.

“My release depended on a condition which was not legal for me. Freedom is my natural right without any condition. How can I give priority to my personal interest at the expense of people. I did not know what happened,” he said.

“I shouted and called for the prison director. I asked him who gave him the authorization to allow that man to enter to my cell. I was deprived from my family, media and lawyers. I had no idea about what was happening outside,” he added.

The prison director told him officer Bouazza was assigned by defence minister Liamine Zeroual at that time.

“I can accept that from Zeroual or any other person,” said Abbassi.

But Zeroual said he did not send that man to Abbassi, according to the FIS’ leader.