 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 3 - 9 June 1999 Issue No. 432 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 3 - 9 June 1999 Issue No. 432
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Interview Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Bouteflika steps forward, cautiously
By Hisham Fahim
"The time for profound change has arrived," Algerian President Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika said on Saturday in his first 90-minute address to the nation since taking office on 27 April. The man who took over the top post in a country marred by nearly eight years of violence emphasised the need for reform at all levels including the state itself. He also invited Islamist militants, exiled or under cover, to return to the mainstream.
President Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika
Bouteflika vowed to combat terrorism, "until it is uprooted" and praised "the resistance of the people and the action of the army and security forces".
However, the president suggested that suspected militants be given a way to rejoin the mainstream should they choose. "I am ready to welcome those who want to return to their nation," Bouteflika said in his live TV broadcast, "and to take all necessary measures to this effect." "I officially address those who wish to return to God and the nation... I am ready to take all the measures necessary for them to return to the national fold with honour and justice. But for those who choose violence, we will battle them relentlessly until we wipe them out and restore peace for all citizens."
Bouteflika did not specify to whom he was referring, but it was clear he was primarily addressing leaders of the banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) many of whom live in exile or are under house arrest. The FIS military wing -- the Islamic Salvation Army -- announced a "truce" in its anti-government attacks more than a year ago which led to an improvement in the security situation. However, Bouteflika set his own terms for a reconciliation. "Reconciliation comes through respect for the constitution and for institutions," and added that an "open spirit", -- an apparent reference to dialogue -- was also necessary.
Bouteflika, took office following a controversial election in which the six other candidates withdrew from the poll, charging that it was rigged. Since his election success he has made peace, national reconciliation and a "strong state" the priority of his five-year term. "The state is sick," Bouteflika conceded "and its administration suffers from irresponsible actions that have weakened its credibility." He said reform was needed in both the justice and educational systems. The president, who served as foreign minister under the late socialist President Houari Boumedienne, hinted at new levels of austerity saying that state officials must "moderate their lifestyle" and warned that fiscal fraud would be made a crime.
Experts on Algeria believe that alleged widespread corruption, huge unemployment, poor education and the state's lack of credibility were among the reasons for the electoral success of the FIS in the late 1980s. The Islamic Salvation Front was on the verge of winning the 1992 legislative elections when the army stepped in and cancelled the vote, triggering the insurgency. More than 80,000 people are estimated to have died in ensuing violence that continues until now.
Pro-government newspapers reported on Tuesday that Algerian troops have killed 33 suspected members of the country's most brutal militant group, the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). The papers reported that elite troops on a seven-day operation, backed by attack helicopters, killed 24 rebels holed up on the Ouastili mountain near the town of Batna 300km east of Algiers. Nine more GIA rebels were killed in a similar operation a few days ago in the Bouinan hills near Blida, 50 kilometres south of Algiers.
Despite the relative calm that preceded the latest presidential elections on 15 April, operations by suspected GIA militants against civilians, by pro-government armed militias and the army have increased over the past few weeks. Observers have been particularly alarmed by the attacks in the capital since Bouteflika took office which were carried out by suspected militants. At least three bombs have exploded in main squares.
Reactions to Bouteflika's first speech have varied; some observers noted that the address reflected his pragmatic nature. He announced eight decisions related to farmers, talked of compulsory military service and other social and economic issues. Those critical of his long speech said that he had not outlined his agenda for national reconciliation for either his allies or his opponents. As one political commentator pointed out, the absence of detail revealed a cautious Bouteflika fearful of alienating his powerful supporters and upsetting the status-quo.
Al-Watan newspaper concluded that "the president has boxed himself in by wanting to address all the country's problems... but ended up skimming over the issues by labouring over obvious points."
Noureddine Azouz, a political analyst, said Bouteflika did not yet want to show his hand regarding wide-ranging political reforms as such plans could turn his supporters against him. "It is not in the interests of the president to shock or frighten his supporters," he said. Bouteflika has the backing of army generals, an array of former government officials and businessmen with strong links to the government -- a difficult constituency to ignore.
