Zitouni: “Malevolent quarters overseas are intent on distorting historical facts linked to the November Revolution”

The nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara are evidence of the inhuman atrocity of the horrendous crimes committed by colonial France, stated in Illizi (1850-km south of Algiers) the Minister of Mujahideen (National Liberation War veterans) Mr Tayeb Zitouni.

“These nuclear tests are a proof of the atrocity of the odious crimes committed by colonial France in the Algerian Sahara, against local population and the environment, and whose nuclear radiations continue, to date, to have very nefarious health repercussions on local populations, on the fauna and buildings,” said the Mujahideen minister.

Those tragic events witnessed in the region of Reggane (Adrar) and In-Ecker (Tamanrasset), and which the Algerian people are commemorating the 57th anniversary, are part of the countless heinous crimes perpetrated by the brutal French colonial yoke against the Algerian people,” he stressed.

Mr Zitouni further called for the preservation of the historical and collective memory of the Algerian people, by highlighting and glorifying the untold sacrifices of our elders, as some malicious quarters overseas are still striving to distort the historical facts related to the glorious November revolution, he pointed out.

Concerning the compensation of the victims of nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara, the minister said that it is among pending issues between the two parties (Algeria and France), notably in the aspect related to the management of the sequels of the somber colonial era and to the collective memory of the Algerian people, thus requiring a judicious methodology of action and its study through the diplomatic channels.

An inter-sectoral working group has been set up to address this issue of compensation for victims of French nuclear explosions in the Sahara, and Algerian discussions are continuing on this very topic within an inter-sectoral governmental committee,” Mr Zitouni underscored.