Burns in Algeria for cooperation talks

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Joseph Burns announced by the end of a visit to Algeria, the first leg in a Maghreb tour that cooperation with Algeria in "fighting terrorism" will increase, at a time when an Algerian Islamic group vowed loyalty to al-Qaida network.

In a press conference, Burns said that the Algerian support will help to rescue the souls of the Americans and we are grateful." He added "we, from our own side.. doing our best to help Algerian to putting an end to terrorism which hit the people of Algeria along ten years."

He explained that this includes the exchange of information and stopping illegal flow of money; training of military men and delivering equipment that do not include weapons.

Burns said that the US took "very seriously" a statement by "al-Salafeyah group for fighting and call" in Algeria in which it expressed support for al-Qaida. He said we "will of course double our efforts in the war against terrorism, not only in Algeria, but also in other areas." Burns added that the USA provided Algeria in 2002 with military equipment.

In what was described by diplomats as a cautious warning to Algeria, Burns said he had informed "the Algerian friends that terrorism should be fought in the context of the law and honoring human rights."

On the other hand, the retired general in the Algerian army Khaled Nizar in a book issued in Algiers last week addressed strong criticism to President Abdul Aziz Butaflika. The book was under the title "Butaflika, the man and his achievement," in which the former defense minister who was behind suspending the second session of the legislative elections following the winning of the Islamic Front For Salvation ( December 1991 ) a dark picture of Butaflika. He wrote that "Algeria was waiting for a mature president who knows the meaning of words."