Algerian-Senegalese Consultations

President Abdou Diouf of Senegal held in Dakar on Monday evening talks with a visiting Algerian delegation led by former Prime Minister Reda Malek.

Talks covered bilateral relations and the ongoing preparations for the summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), scheduled to be held in Algeria next July 12-14.

During the meeting, Reda Malek conveyed to the Senegalese head of State a message from the newly elected Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Malek told reporters that talks with President Diouf were "very useful" and "very fruitful." He said that the Algerian delegation's visit to Dakar was part of consultations between the two countries and was meant "to know President Diouf's standpoint on the OAU summit works and on the future of this continental organization on the eve of the third millennium."

Senegalese Minister of communication and spokesman for the government, Aisatta Tall Sall, told Radio Senegal that her country was "actively preparing" the OAU coming summit and that President Diouf would participate in the summit. This will be a "tribute" and "a message of hope and peace" on the part of Senegal to Algeria, she said.

Last week, high-ranking Senegalese officials made trips to Algeria, including minister of armed forces, Sheikh Hamidou Kane and Moustapha Cisse, President Diouf's special advisor.

Moustapha Cisse conveyed to president Bouteflika a message from President Diouf wherein he expressed hope that "regular consultation over all issues of mutual concern will be established between Algeria and Senegal."