UPCOMING SIGNING OF THE U.S.-ALGERIA S&T AGREEMENT

UNCLAS ALGIERS 001674 SIPDIS AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (J. WHITTLESEY) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KSCA TSPL AG US SUBJECT: UPCOMING SIGNING OF THE U.S.-ALGERIA S&T AGREEMENT REF: A. SENSENEY-PIGNATELLO EMAIL 8/9/05 ¶B. 03 STATE 2516 ¶C. 04 STATE 2314 ¶1. Econoff notified MFA Deputy Director of the Americas August 11 of USG agreement to the Algerian proposed changes to the Science and Technology Agreement (preamble paragraph 3) and informed him that we understood U/S for Global Affairs Dobriansky was prepared to come to Algiers for the signing ceremony at a mutually convenient time. Adjabi was unable to say who would sign for Algeria. ¶2. From our perspective, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Delegate Souad Bendjaballah would be a strong candidate and our first choice. Adjabi did not indicate a preferred timeframe and asked us to offer dates for the Under Secretary's visit. Asked if October, during Ramadan (which begins October 5),would be an acceptable timeframe, Adjabi said the GOA would consider any dates we proposed, including in October. ¶3. Post recommends U/S Dobriansky travel to Algiers for the above purpose and requests that the Department provide suitable dates in early September or in October for a visit. Due to a heavy September visit schedule and simultaneous official travel of POLEC officers, post recommends that the U/S Dobrianksy visit not/not fall between September 15 and September 30. Department should note that the work week in Algeria is Saturday to Wednesday. ERDMAN