Algeria undergoes crisis of improving its image internationaly over tourists issue
Algeria, Local, 5/16/2003

The kidnapping of 31 European tourists with the majority of them Germans in the Algerian desert constituted a big challenge before the Algerian government and President Abdul Aziz Butaflika.

The Algerian government found itself in a difficult situation following the pressure of the European capitals to find out a quick solution for the question of the kidnapped and their readiness to help in that in case of Algerian government's inability to resolve the problem.

Algeria was in front of a difficult test to improve its image before its primary partner, the European Union and after three months, the Algerian security was able to rescue 17 tourists out of 31. However, this victory was incomplete, with 15 tourists yet not found.

Events have developed. There was the visit of the German foreign minister to Algeria and his meeting with the Algerian officials. Two days later came the news on the release of 17 tourists. According to the Algerian daily Liberty, the Algerian security forces had negotiations with the kidnappers, without declaring this openly, and it did so with a prior agreement with Austria and Germany, from which most of the tourists come.

Previous Stories:
  Lost European tourists found in the Algerian desert   (5/15/2003)
  Algeria: seven were killed, 6 wounded in acts of violence   (5/14/2003)
  Algerian prisoners rebel in Tazoult jail   (5/12/2003)
  World bank grants $95 mln loan to Algeria to fight rural poverty   (5/1/2003)
  Libyan- Algerian economic cooperation   (5/1/2003)
  Syria-Algeria Agricultural Cooperation   (1/27/2003)

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