Opening Border Between Algeria, Morocco Doesn’t Concern Washington, US Ambasador Ensher

US Ambassador to Algiers, Henry Ensher refuted reports that his country is pressing Algeria to open border with Morocco, adding that he feels embarrassed with the travel warrants being issued by the State Department on Algeria.

Mr Ensher told Echorouk reporter “Well, in my opinion, opening border would be benefic for both countries. Yet, this is an internal issue that concerns only Morocco and Algeria.”

The US ambassador conducted a work visit to Tlemcen Wednesday on the top of a mission of economic operators, as they met with local operators in the Trade and Industry Chamber.

Mr Ensher said “Americans ignore lot of things about Algeria, and unfortunately, many people are still linking Algeria with terrorism, although the situation has improved and radically changed.”

He further indicated that Algerian economic operators have to make more efforts in terms of making known their own country, adding that he was surprised, for instance, when he was told that the University of Tlemcen is the first nationwide, proposing to set up an exchange program with US universities. 

On another side, a local operator asked Mr Ensher over the “exaggerating” travel warrants that the State Department issues time to time on Algeria. In this context, the US diplomat admitted that such warrants embarrass his embassy towards “the Algerian government, and toward Algerian operators who hold strong relations with US counterparts.” 

Yet, Mr Ensher made sure to say that “Algeria is a safe country, and here I’m traveling to the extreme west, for I don’t like staying in my office in Algiers and read reports; I prefer walking in streets and talking to people to know more about their daily life.”