France Does Not Interfere In Algerian Affairs, French Diplomat Says

Paris- There is no connection between the French presidency and the statements of the former French ambassador and head of the Foreign Security Directorate (intelligence), Bernard Bajolet, a French diplomatic official told Echorouk.

The French diplomatic source met with Echorouk in Paris and a number of Algerian media and preferred not to be identified, and he said in response to a question about the Presidential Elections 2019 in Algeria: “We do not take positions from elections abroad because it is an Algerian affair. What is important to France is the stability of Algeria, and Paris has a strong desire to continue a strong political dialogue at a high level”.

“This is our position and I do not think it will change later. We do not interfere in Algeria’s internal affairs, and Algeria does not interfere in the internal affairs of France!”.

On the statements that were made by the former Paris ambassador to Algiers and the director of the Directorate of External Security (intelligence), Bernard Bajolet, the source confirmed that “it was discovered (statements) through the media, which came on the occasion of the publication of a book, and the accompanying statements in the newspaper Le Figaro”.

“There are two main points in Bernard Bajolet’s remarks, the first point is that there is no connection between him and the French authorities, including the Elysee. I assure you that there is no link that brings us together. The second point, which is common in France, is the duty of reservation”.

“I think that Mr. Bajolet is retired since a short time ago, and he was performing very important and strategic tasks”, (in a reference to the post of ambassador and director of intelligence), “and he was supposed to abide by the duty of reservation”.

“However, we should not make of his statements an issue, and the authorities in Paris were aware of the French embassy’s comments in Algeria on the Bagolet statement, which is considered an official position and therefore for Paris, the case of Bajolet was closed permanently”.

With regard to President Macron recognition of the institutionalized torture against Algerians during the war of liberation which caused the death of the fighter Maurice Audin, the same source explained that President Macron and France are ready to proceed with the files of memory with Algeria, but this road must be pursued together”.

“Macron wants to understand and make sure that the Algerian party has a desire to take some steps forward in the memory files”.