Discussion with US ambassador to Algeria was like questioning, says lawyer

A meeting between the president of judicial assistance cell for the implementation of the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation Marwan Azi and US ambassador to Algeria was organised few days ago upon request from the ambassador, Azi told Echorouk.

Lawyer Azi said the meeting focused on dealing with new events in Algeria and submitted his doubts to Ambassador Robert Ford on the nature of meetings between the US diplomat and some parties and public organisations.

He was doubtful on the way in which the interview was made. “It was turned to a sort of a questioning summarised by the ambassadors in questions and answers.”

The lawyer mentioned that he discussed the National Reconciliation plan with Ford who had a good impression on it.

Religious freedom was also among the discussed topics. Washington’s representative in Algeria confirmed his country’s concerns about the situation of religion practices within the presidential ordinance issued in 2006 relating to the practice of religious rites.

According to lawyer Azi, Ford noticed that this law limited religious freedoms but the lawyer had the opportunity to say that the Algerian constitution is firm toward detracting the law and order even if it ensures religious freedom.

His meeting with the US ambassador was “normal” and he stressed the necessity to respect diplomatic norms which regulate ambassadors’ tasks.

The lawyer mentioned Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which prohibits interference in domestic affairs from any ambassador.

“The Algerian government’s intervention was right as it re-set things in order by recalling the US ambassador of the necessity to respect international conventions. The government called on Algerian institutions to respect official ways in such cases,” said lawyer Azi.