US embassy cable - 05ALGIERS2225

S E C R E T ALGIERS 002225 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2015 
TAGS: MARR, MOPS, PREL, AG, Status Of Force Agreement (SOFA) 
SUBJECT: FORCE STATUS PROTECTION DEMARCHE DELIVERED 
 
REF: A. STATE 193543 
 
     B. ALGIERS 1877 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Erdman, 
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (S) Ambassador delivered to FM Bedjaoui on October 26 Ref 
A demarche on securing protections for personnel engaged in 
the U.S.-Algerian military exercise this November, leaving 
behind proposed draft language for an exchange of diplomatic 
notes.  Ambassador stressed our need for written assurances, 
noted the minimalist nature of the proposed language 
reflected their last conversation on this subject (Ref B), 
and urged a GOA response as soon as possible, in view of the 
immediacy of the upcoming exercise, which begins November 5. 
Bedjaoui, a former judge on the International Court of 
Justice at The Hague, quickly scanned the text of the 
proposed exchange, seemed to react positively, but said he 
would need to study the text before getting back to the 
Ambassador with a formal response, perhaps later in the 
afternoon. 
 
2. (S) In the event, Bedjaoui did not get back to us because 
of the accelerating pace of Mehlis Report-related diplomatic 
activity and his own early departure for the October 31 UNSC 
ministerial on the report.  Embassy followed up our demarche 
with MFA Americas Directorate October 29 and again on October 
31 with Director General Selmane.  The latter said she was 
not in a position to provide a response at this time and 
would not be until FM Bedjaoui returned to Algeria (either 
November 1 or 2).  She hoped to have something for us on 
Wednesday, November 2, but could not commit. 
 
3.  (S) Post notes that November 1 is an Algerian holiday and 
that the celebration of the 'Eid holiday could begin November 
2, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.  Even if 
'Eid starts November 3, the MFA and most Algerian offices are 
expected to experience high rates of absenteeism November 2 
in advance of the usual Thursday-Friday weekend. Post will 
report the GOA response once received.  In light of the 
holidays ahead, the chances of receiving a timely response 
are receding.  We will again be in touch with senior levels 
of the MFA on Wednesday but, realistically, should be 
prepared as a fallback to proceed with the exercise November 
5 on the basis of previous discussions, where senior 
officials orally assured that our personnel will have the 
necessary protections.  If we are not successful in obtaining 
agreement to our proposed exchange of notes prior to the 
start of the exercise, we will continue to press for a 
positive response as soon as possible thereafter. 
 
ERDMAN