HIGHLIGHTS OF BOUTEFLIKA'S NATIONAL RECONCILIATION

UNCLAS ALGIERS 001702

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL AG
SUBJECT: HIGHLIGHTS OF BOUTEFLIKA'S NATIONAL RECONCILIATION
ADDRESS TO THE NATION

REF: ALGIERS 1661

SUMMARY
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1. In President Bouteflika's address to the nation August 14,
he outlined his vision of national reconciliation and
announced that the national reconciliation referendum will
take place September 29. National reconciliation will, if
the referendum passes, halt legal proceedings and commute
sentences for those Algerians, both in country and abroad,
who have committed crimes that do not/not include "collective
massacres, rapes or attacks with explosives in public
places." Additionally, Bouteflika made clear that anyone who
has used religion or called for jihad against state
institutions (i.e. the leaders of the banned FIS party) will
be excluded from participating in political activities. Post
will provide analysis and reaction to the address septel.
(End Summary.)

REFERENDUM TO HEAL THE NATION
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2. Bouteflika said the September 29 referendum will pay
tribute and give thanks to the sacrifices and valor of the
security forces, especially the National Popular Army as well
as pay tribute to the families of those who have been harmed
by terrorism. According to Bouteflika, the Civil Concord
presented in 1999 "brought positive results," but national
reconciliation will bring the country closer to national
reconstruction. He underscored that the future of the nation
depends on the willingness of the people to vote on this
measure which will bring the country forward and, without
forgetting the past, leave behind fifteen years of suffering.

KEY POINTS OF REFERENDUM
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3. The following are key mandates of the national
reconciliation as outlined in the speech:

- Cessation of all legal proceedings for those who have
surrendered to the state for the commission of violent acts
since January 2000, except for those who have committed
collective massacres, rapes, or attacks with explosives in
public places. This applies to those living in Algeria,
those who fled the country for abroad, and those condemned in
absentia who voluntarily present themselves to the
authorities.

- Cessation of legal proceedings against people who have
supported terrorism, such as in the provision of housing,
food, or arms, but did not take part in collective massacres,
rapes, or attacks with explosives.

- Commuting of sentences for those have already been
condemned for terrorist activities (except for those
involving the above mentioned three exceptions).

- Barring from political activity individuals who have used
religion as a tool, or have had some responsibility in the
conception or establishment of a jihad against the nation and
the institutions of Algeria, from any political activity
whatsoever.

- Compensation packages will be provided to the families of
terrorist victims, including the "disappeared."

- Those who will benefit from the cessation of legal
proceedings or who will receive commuted sentences should be
welcomed back socially and economically into Algerian society
without retribution.



4. Note: The barring from political activity of those who
have called for jihad against the state is clearly directed
at the former leaders of the banned Islamic Salvation Front
(FIS).

ERDMAN