Le Quotidien d'Oran: Algeria failed to set up equity and reconciliation commission
Algeria, Politics, 1/12/2004

Algerian paper Le Quotidien d'Oran regretted in a column published this Saturday that Algeria did not set up an Equity and Reconciliation Commission and that it was Morocco that took the initiative.

"We sadly have to say that it is Algeria that should create, an Equity and Reconciliation Commission, considering our tragedies, which are far bigger than that our neighbors."

The daily alludes to the creation in Morocco of the Equity and Reconciliation committee to carry out-of-court settlement of cases involving past human rights abuses.

The story titled "We and the Moroccans," the newspaper says the release of political prisoners and the creation of the Committee are a Moroccan gesture that we must remember and consider for ourselves, insisting that Algeria failed to show the same courage as its neighbor."

The reconciliation policy launched under the form of "Rahma d'Etat (state mercy)" since the (president Lyamin) Zeroual days, and seen as a basis of Bouteflika's policy had had its day, though it could turn into a revolution through remembrance and truth establishment, and turn the country's page of disaster, Le Quotidien d'Oran said.

"It didn't work and the important effect of the national reconciliation meant to save the country from a bigger break, was wasted in a misbalanced game of succession in power, fear of too brusque changes and insignificant reforms," the article reads.

"Our national reconciliation, limited to pardons and amnesties writings, a false political openness, an too-weak international media campaign and an imbroglio of probation committees about which we no longer know anything, has missed the historical rendezvous.

"Morocco, a little ahead in issues such as Amazigh (Berber), the status of languages and the management of the Islamic trend, has done better smoothly, with no big losses nor turmoil, and seemingly, with the best results expected, the paper says. "We must admit it to ourselves."

Previous Stories:
  Algerian peace society movement supports Butaflika's nomination   (1/10/2004)
  O Yahya pleased over negotiations with Tansiqiyat al-Oroush   (1/8/2004)
  Bin Hammoudah strongly criticizes Butaflika as abusing power   (1/7/2004)

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