Bouteflika optimistic over French-Algerian relations

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said in a statement to Radio France Internationale that initiatives will be taken in the second half of July to strengthen French - Algerian relations.

He said he expected that the two sides will wait until the end of the summit of the Organization of the African Unity due to be held in Algeria next week, in order to take initiatives in this respect.

The Algerian president said that French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin "sent me clear signals I trust."

He reiterated his call on the two French officials to visit Algeria, saying, "If the president or the prime minister comes to Algeria, I will be with their side and then I will give the security men a leave because the Algerian people know how to protect us."

Chirac has expressed his desire to visit Algeria "at the proper time."