US embassy cable - 05ALGIERS1702

UNCLAS ALGIERS 001702 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, AG, Terrorism 
SUBJECT: HIGHLIGHTS OF BOUTEFLIKA'S NATIONAL RECONCILIATION 
ADDRESS TO THE NATION 
 
REF: ALGIERS 1661 
 
SUMMARY 
 ------- 
 
1. In President Bouteflika's address to the nation August 14, 
he outlined his vision of national reconciliation and 
announced that the national reconciliation referendum will 
take place September 29.  National reconciliation will, if 
the referendum passes, halt legal proceedings and commute 
sentences for those Algerians, both in country and abroad, 
who have committed crimes that do not/not include "collective 
massacres, rapes or attacks with explosives in public 
places."  Additionally, Bouteflika made clear that anyone who 
has used religion or called for jihad against state 
institutions (i.e. the leaders of the banned FIS party) will 
be excluded from participating in political activities.  Post 
will provide analysis and reaction to the address septel. 
(End Summary.) 
 
REFERENDUM TO HEAL THE NATION 
----------------------------- 
 
2. Bouteflika said the September 29 referendum will pay 
tribute and give thanks to the sacrifices and valor of the 
security forces, especially the National Popular Army as well 
as pay tribute to the families of those who have been harmed 
by terrorism.  According to Bouteflika, the Civil Concord 
presented in 1999 "brought positive results," but national 
reconciliation will bring the country closer to national 
reconstruction.  He underscored that the future of the nation 
depends on the willingness of the people to vote on this 
measure which will bring the country forward and, without 
forgetting the past, leave behind fifteen years of suffering. 
 
KEY POINTS OF REFERENDUM 
------------------------ 
 
3. The following are key mandates of the national 
reconciliation as outlined in the speech: 
 
- Cessation of all legal proceedings for those who have 
surrendered to the state for the commission of violent acts 
since January 2000, except for those who have committed 
collective massacres, rapes, or attacks with explosives in 
public places.  This applies to those living in Algeria, 
those who fled the country for abroad, and those condemned in 
absentia who voluntarily present themselves to the 
authorities. 
 
- Cessation of legal proceedings against people who have 
supported terrorism, such as in the provision of housing, 
food, or arms, but did not take part in collective massacres, 
rapes, or attacks with explosives. 
 
- Commuting of sentences for those have already been 
condemned for terrorist activities (except for those 
involving the above mentioned three exceptions). 
 
- Barring from political activity individuals who have used 
religion as a tool, or have had some responsibility in the 
conception or establishment of a jihad against the nation and 
the institutions of Algeria, from any political activity 
whatsoever. 
 
- Compensation packages will be provided to the families of 
terrorist victims, including the "disappeared." 
 
- Those who will benefit from the cessation of legal 
proceedings or who will receive commuted sentences should be 
welcomed back socially and economically into Algerian society 
without retribution. 
 
 
4.  Note:  The barring from political activity of those who 
have called for jihad against the state is clearly directed 
at the former leaders of the banned Islamic Salvation Front 
(FIS). 
 
ERDMAN