Algerian embassador: Th e United states outraged by the CIA chief sex scandal

Algeria counts the second partner with the United States of America in the Arab world and Africa in terms of economic exchanges. The total amount of this cooperation is estimated at some USD 22 billions in addition to a close cooperation in the fight against terrorism.The Algerian ambassador to Washington Abdellah Baali gave an interview to Echorouk’s correspondent there in which he exposed the Algerian overall policy and its role in the Mediterranean zone and Africa, the Middle East crisis and also the scandal triggered by the chief of CIA bureau in Algiers, accused of sexual assault on two Algerian women.

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• Q: The new administration in Washington talks about a new approach in the US foreign policy, especially towards the Islamic world. What do you expect concerning the Algerian –US relationships with the coming of this new administration?
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• A: The US-     Algerian relationships are excellent and witnessed sensitive and fruitful developments over the last few years. With the coming of a new administration into the White House, we are hopeful to forge ahead this cooperation and widen the political dialogue between both countries. Algeria expects a lot from this new administration to reach a higher level of cooperation concerning international issues, in the Arab world Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. We want to expand our cooperation to other issues and not limit it to the fight against terrorism because Algeria has its word on the Arab, African and International scenes and want to be part in the elaboration of peace processes in different zones of conflict, of course in collaboration with the US.
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• Q: Are there high profile visits scheduled for the upcoming months, for instance?
• A: We are working on intensifying these visits between the two countries, the last one paid by the Algerian energy and mines minister, Chakib Khellil falls within this logic. He had intense activities including his meeting with the US secretary of energy and chaired a forum on renewable energies in Washington. We also intend to foster cooperation between the US Congress and the Algerian parliament. In this respect, a group of US Congressmen is nowadays visiting Algeria.
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• Q: Cooperation between US and Algeria in the fight against terrorism is good, but there is a disagreement between the two over the African Common Command for the Fight against Terrorism in Sub-Sahara “AFRICOM”, isn’t this conflict an impediment to this harmonious cooperation?
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•     A: Cooperation between the US and Sub-Saharan countries in the fight against terrorism already exist, and Algeria feel comfortable to this cooperation because it considers that this fight requires the participation of all countries. One country cannot face this global danger by itself. As concerns “AFRICOM”, Algeria has clearly expressed its view, and do not think that this position irritates the relationships between both countries, especially those concerning the fight against terrorism.
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• Q: On the economic level, cooperation between the two countries amounts to USD 22 billions but the lion share goes to hydrocarbons… how do you expect to develop this cooperation apart from this sector?
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• A: Actually, Algeria is the second US partner in terms of economic exchanges on the Arab and African level with USD 22 billions, but we aim to incite the US firms to broaden this cooperation and not limit it to the hydrocarbons sector. For that purpose, we organized a visit for a group of US businessmen comprising more than 30 people operating in different sectors of activities set to arrive next week.
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• Q: What about the opening of a direct flight between New York and Algeria?
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• A: This priority for us and I would like to inform you that negotiations between the US and Algeria over the so called “Open Sky” are completed which allows the Algerian flight company to start the technical procedures to fulfil this project.
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• Q: Can you tell us about the last scandal that involved the chief of CIA bureau in Algiers?
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• A: This is a serious affair and cannot be neglected; we are in a permanent contact with the US side that guaranteed to shed light on the case and sue the convict. US authorities are upset to this sad event and hope that this will not impact on the relationships between both countries.
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