EQUIPMENT LICENSES TO ALGERIA SUSPENDED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 001677 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2015 TAGS: ETTC KOMC MASS AG US SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT LICENSES TO ALGERIA SUSPENDED REF: STATE 143058 Classified By: DCM Marc J. Sievers, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) PolEc Chief delivered message sent reftel to MFA Deputy Director for the Americas Mourad Adjabi August 13, noting Department of State decision to suspend equipment licenses to Algeria associated with the Blue Lantern program. Adjabi expressed disappointment that the Ministry of National Defense (MND),which has ultimate responsibility for such matters, did not meet the Department's July 31 deadline for resolution of two pending verifications. Adjabi asked PolEc Chief to provide him with a copy of all correspondence between the Embassy and the MND on this subject. Once provided the information, Adjabi said he would draft a memorandum to MFA Secretary General Lamamra advising him of the situation. Adjabi believed the Secretary General would then raise the matter with MND seeking a resolution favorable to the USG position. PolEc Chief thanked Adjabi for his efforts and is providing the requested documentation to MFA. ERDMAN