Interview: Sheikh Abdellah Jabellah to Echorouk: “I do not regret conversation with the U.S. ambassador .Wikileaks documents do not need neither apologize nor regret”

In this interview with Echorouk, Sheikh Abdallah Jabellah spoke about efforts to reunite the Movement for National Reform through his return to the party, and also through discussing the facts by Wiki leaks about a conversation between Jabellah and the U.S. ambassador, as well as some issues in relationship with the nation al and international political affairs.

Echorouk: some news talk about your return to the MNR party, is it true?

Abdellah Jabellah: Let me first start with an observation. I am really sorry to say that the Algerian elites, especially media, are dominated by the revolutionary logic, and succumbed to it. They promoted it and this reason behind a delayed process of reforms in the Arab world in general. Most people deal with this logic without denial, while they deny the owners of legitimacy wherever they are. After this observation, I can answer your question. The MNR party as evidenced by its various documents, particularly in the first stages of foundation is a framework for reform which belongs to the Algerian people in general, and every believer in its projects in particular. It came to be a positive addition to the Algerian society and contribute with all good people of the nation in the service of religion, country and people. This is evident in the party as a political movement for reform.

Echorouk: This means that you return to the movement has become a question of time?

Abdellah Jabellah: Once again, I go back to the same observation. It seems that you’re a those young journalists affected by the revolutionary thought. I never left the movement to ask me such a question. I am the head and most prominent founder, and I will remain. Thanks Allah I made efforts with an important group of people and we agreed on unity and collective work to save the movement following damage for a true, normal and legitimate start for what is called historically as “The Movement of Historical Renaissance”, because it is the natural heir of the various struggles, and therefore it has the responsibility to unite sons of this movement.

Echorouk: Some people think that the political work became a waste of time in Algeria. How could you see this problem?

Abdellah Jabellah: Honestly, we live in a country that has not maintained a democratic approach. We are also in a country dominated by elites with unitary thought, and they want it to continue in this country as a reality, therefore, they resorted to what is called presidential coalition under various reasons which have no strong arguments for the scientific dialogue and Peaceful debate. The result was that such a step closed the area of political pluralism, and was despair in the hearts of all citizens, then lost credibility with people and gave proof that most of the political elites in the end look for their own interests. Therefore, when they found an opportunity for communication with the ruling regime, they rushed to it, and accepted to play the role prepared to support the policies of this regime then laundered its various practices for their own benefits and gains. Faced with this painful situation, we must realize that there are many who are not satisfied with this, and are still struggling for the revival of political pluralism to enable the political, media forces and civil society to play their roles assigned in the crevice of religion, principles and wealth of the nation.

Echorouk: Is there a bankrupt political Islam? The latest data shows that there are zero seats for the Muslim brotherhood.

Abdellah Jabellah: Your question carries the taint of secularism based on the separation between religion and politics, and addressing these issues at the level of understanding is the role and duty of Islam because it does not accept such classifications, simply because it is a comprehensive system of life and the failure of human experience here and there proves that people fail and not Islam. What happened in Egypt, as recognized by the international community, was the result of the violation of electoral process.

Echorouk: Wiki leaks documents make a global event nowadays. Could you tell us about the conversation between you and the U.S. ambassador?

Abdellah Jabellah: Wiki leaks documents have advantages because they exposed the Arab regimes and American agents in the Arab and Muslim world. However, they also have drawbacks, because what was published was logically selective and not all the U.S. ambassador’s correspondences. There was focus on Arabs, and this indicates hidden intentions. As far as I’m concerned, I do not regret it. I am extremely keen on choosing the rights words during my diplomatic activities with ambassadors or journalists. What was published about me is related to corruption in general, and no one can deny the existence of this phenomenon in Algeria, officials in their positions, media or even simple citizens. My conversation with the U.S. ambassador on these meanings, but some newspapers tried to dramatize the leaks for their interests. When Wikileaks published some news in my favor they did not talk about it, except of one newspaper.

Echorouk: What is the news in your favor?

Abdellah Jabellah: News about the terrorist attack which targeted the headquarters of the UN and my analysis to the situation and its dimensions.