Washington: Algeria has experiences and situation in Arab countries can not be generalised

In less than a week, the US expressed two contradictory positions towards Algeria. It shows satisfaction about the decision to lift the state of emergency in Algeria. On the other hand, it calls for not harming demonstrators as if Algeria has become a place of violence. Those two positions show that the US vision is not clear.

• After last week’s statement which provoked Algeria, a senior official in the State Department said the US considers that President Bouteflika’s decision to lift the state of emergency is encouraging. It was satisfied about the Algerian foreign minister Medelci’s recent remarks.
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• The US considered the decision to lift the state of emergency as a positive step, he added.
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• Speaking about current mutations in the Middle East, he said the situation in each country is “unique” and “we should be careful of making generalisations in the region on the basis of each country’s experiences.”
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• “The Middle East’s people seek an opportunity to contribute and get a role in decision making. As the State Secretary Hillary Clinton said, commanders should meet those aspirations and consider the civil society as a partner and not a threat to that effort.”
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• “Algeria witnessed many positive developments under the leadership of President Bouteflika. “The 2009’s presidential elections were conducted in a peaceful and organised way.”
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• “We hope that the Algerian people continue participating in the National Reconciliation efforts initiated by President Bouteflika.”
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• “Relationships between Algeria and the US have always been based on mutual interests and respect. Algeria is an essential partner in North Africa and the Sahel. It is an important energy provider and a considerable market of our products.”
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• “The US works in collaboration with the Algerian government to contribute in establishing appropriate conditions to business atmosphere in essential fields for foreign investors. Algeria has huge capacities and the US institutions can play a considerable role in concretising those capacities.”