Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:51 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the situation in Algeria and the outcome of the poll on 16 September 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25518/99]
Written Answers. - Algerian Conflict.
Although the situation in Algeria remains difficult, there are signs that it is starting to emerge from the years of violence and to make progress towards national reconciliation and reconstruction.
In June, the Islamic Salvation Army – AIS – confirmed that its campaign of violence had ended. The Islamic Salvation Front – FIS – while still outlawed, endorsed this announcement. This renunciation of violence continues despite the murder last week, by opponents of the reconciliation process, of one of the Islamic Salvation Front's leading advocates of dialogue.
The National Assembly has enacted legislation, which President Bouteflika introduced as part of a new civil concord, granting an amnesty to the AIS militants and their supporters who renounce violence. On 5 July the 37th anniversary of Algerian independence, the first stage of the amnesty, which is expected to lead to the release of 5,000 detainees, was put into effect.
On 16 September, an overwhelming majority approved the referendum on the President's proposals which are aimed at achieving peace and civil concord. These are positive steps which I earnestly hope will soon bring an end to the suffering which has been inflicted upon the Algerian people for most of this decade.
Ireland and the European Union welcome the encouraging outcome of the referendum which demonstrated the support of the Algerian people for President Bouteflika's mission of national reconciliation and peace.
Earlier this month, the European Union troika visited Algiers where it reiterated to the Algerian Government that the union is ready to support and encourage the process of reform in Algeria, particularly through the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, including the resumption of negotiations on the conclusion of an association agreement. At the same time the troika raised concerns about the human rights situation in Algeria.