Butaflika: the war against Iraq is not justified Aznar: rapprochement with Algeria does not target Morocco
Algeria-Spain, Politics, 10/9/2002

The Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika said on Tuesday that the Algerians are angry over what is taking place in Palestine to the extent that they can not justify the American war against Iraq.

His host, the Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar denied that among the results of the Spanish- Algerian rapprochement is to margin relations with Morocco.

During a joint press conference with Aznar following the signing of "a cooperation and friendship agreement." Butaflika said "we think that the preventive diplomacy is superior to the preventive war." Butaflika and Aznar were clear in making remarks that they do not share identical views concerning the position on the Iraqi issue.

The Algerian president said that the Algerian people are angry and disappointed over the situation in the West Bank and Gaza in a way that "it does not avail me any way to justify a likely attack against any other Arab country under the overshadowing conditions." Aznar, on the other hand, denied what has been stated that Spain is developing its relations with Algeria in confrontation of Morocco whose relations with Madrid have been recently intensified, noting "we do not try to replace any body." However, Aznar said he had discussed with Butaflika a very "controversial" issue on erecting a gas pipe line at a cost of 6 billion dollars from Algeria directly to the Spanish territories through the Mediterranean in order to provide Europe with Gas.

There is a gas pipeline from Algeria to the Moroccan territories and from that to Jabal Tareq in Spain. Aznar ignored human rights violations accusations in Algeria addressed by the Amnesty International in an open message published in the first day of the visit paid by Butaflika to Madrid. Aznar said " I had the opportunity to talk with Butaflika about fighting terrorism and I do appreciate Algeria's efforts" in this regard.

During a dinner banquet held by the Spanish King in honor of the Algerian President, Butaflika said "fighting of terrorism can not be at any way converted to conflict of civilizations or justify aggression outside the framework of international establishments." Meantime, a high ranking official in the Spanish government said that relations between his country and Algeria will reach its peak following the signing of the friendship and cooperation treaty on Tuesday similar to that with both Morocco and Tunisia during the 1990s.

On the other hand, the campaign for local elections campaign due on Thursday in Algeria was completed in atmospheres of no enthusiasm. A matter which foresee of a very low profile participation in these elections.

Previous Stories:
  U.N. commission calls for political settlement to Sahara issue   (10/7/2002)
  Path to Sahara issue settlement is clearly defined, Morocco says   (10/5/2002)
  Algerian FM calls for ending Iraq sanctions   (7/29/2002)
  Iraq foreign minister visits Algeria   (7/20/2002)
  Butaflika to visit Spain; gas pipeline, sahara issues   (6/14/2002)
  Algerians arrested under accusations of being linked to Bin Laden   (9/27/2001)
  Spanish prime minister expected in Nouakchott and Algiers   (7/17/2000)

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