US Ambassador to Algiers speaks at Echorouk forum about Algerian Guantanamo deta
Ech-Chorouk, on Sunday, May 13, 2007
We have never requested and we will never request a Military base or General Command in Algeria
The US Ambassador to Algiers, Robert Ford, denied the US presented a request to Algeria to set up US military bases or a general command in the south and said « We have never thought not even once, even in the corridors of the US government Headquarters to put up military bases in Algeria and we have never asked for this. » adding that being Americans they « Understand the Algerian sensitiveness to this subject ».
Concerning this file, the US Ambassador seemed determined, at the Echorouk Forum, put an end to all the speculations around the subject. A subject that pushed Algerian Foreign Minister to end his silence and state in one of his interviews in which he made clear Algeria rejected any project of this kind on its soil and called the question « a matter of national sovereignty »
Ambassador Ford said in this connection « The matter is contained only in the comments and analyses of the newsrooms here in Algeria »before adding some of the politicians used this for their own political interests and that himself has worked in Algeria between 1993 and 1997 and he « knew well the sensitiveness of the case in Algeria »
The US diplomat said the Algerian Foreign Minister, Mr. Mohamed Bedjaoui checked this when he visited the US last April.
Ambassador Ford also said his country had no intention to put up any military base or asked for this in any African country. On the other hand, Robert Ford said the US wants to move the General Command now in Stuttgart, Germany to the African Horn « Yet, the Congress refused and has not allotted a cent for this project »
Ambassador Robert Ford seized the opportunity to explain that in the US, if the Congress does not allot a package for a project, it is no project! Before adding « a group of US experts has been touring the African Horn during the last two months while another group of experts will be visiting the continent for discussions with African officials on the matter. Yet nothing has been decided so far for this subject »
Washington sees Algeria an axel spreading democracy in the region
Ambassador Robert Ford also said his country hoped next May 17th legislative election will be « a step forward in the political democratic process in Algeria » stressing the fact that the country has the capabilities of being a pioneering experience in this matter as compared to many countries » as he put it.
The US diplomat also said the political leaders of his country gave a particular interest to the « Ordinance » issued by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika just before of this legislative elections campaign was kicked off and in which President Bouteflika called the administration to be fair.
Ambassador Robert Ford also added « I hail the president’s initiative and I think the communiqué is very important. It strenghtens the credibility of the elections »
Washington’s representative in Algiers said the US are giving lots of importance to the Algerian experience. The country faced terrorism in the past and fought it « Algeria suffered a lot from the terrorism problem. We all hope in the US, the government and the people that the democratic process will be achieved. » » The same success also includes our hopes to see Algeria leading North African countries in the democratic process », said Ambassador Robert Ford.
The seven Algerian Guantanamo prisoners will be released in the next few weeks
The US Ambassador revealed to Echorouk the Guantanamo Bay camp will be closed in the next few weeks after US president George W. Bush decided to release all prisoners including the Algerian detainees « Algerian and US authorities holds discussions to listen to the Algerian authorities’ understanding of the this », said Robert Ford.
According to what Robert Ford said, discussions between the Algerian and the US authorities are underway. They are centred on « the prisoners’ transportation conditions. »
Robert Ford also said last US Ambassador-at-large’s visit to Algeria has been fruitful especially with the date for the Guantanamo Bay camp’s closure being soon.
There are no current deportation agreements between the two countries and the matter is being discussed with the Algerian authorities concerning the deportation of prisoners and wanted people in both countries. Washington has set conditions before deporting the quoted prisoners, according to the US Ambassador.
The possibility of the deportation of prisoners to other countries is also being viewed. The U.S. need to discuss the matter with the Algerian authorities as we need to have the Algerian approval before we can deport the prisoners to Algeria. « We cannot put them on a plane and compel Algerian authorities to welcome them », said Ambassador Ford before adding there would be a decision on the whole matter in the next few weeks.
The problem between Anadarko and the Algerian government is a commercial and not a political matter
« The latest issue between the US Anadarko petroleum company and the Algerian government is a commercial matter between the Algerian officials and a private American company », said Ambassador Ford before adding « it is neither a political nor an official problem. » The US Ambassador said Anadarko is accusing the Algerian government of being the cause of loses due to the implementation of the new Algerian law on hydrocarbons.
The issue should be solved in its commercial framework, « I hoped foreign investments will grow in the field of oil and gas as well as in other sectors of activity », said Ambassador Robert Ford. He also hoped Algerians would develop the investment sector through the creation of an investment climate likely to attract more companies.
