BOUTEFLIKA SENDS BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO KING

UNCLAS ALGIERS 001504

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AG MO
SUBJECT: BOUTEFLIKA SENDS BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO KING
MOHAMMED VI

The official French-language daily El Moudjahid reported on
August 20 that President Bouteflika congratulated King
Mohammed VI of Morocco on the occasion of the latter's
birthday. In his message, Bouteflika noted that the King's
birthday was adjacent to the anniversary of "La Revolution du
Roi et du peuple," which marked the return from exile of King
Mohammed V and was important in Morocco's fight for
independence from France, and also adjacent to the
anniversary of "le Congres a la Soummam," an important
occurrence in Algeria's fight for independence from France.
Bouteflika remarked that the dates reinforced the bond
between the two countries, as both had engaged in a "common
heroic fight" exacting a "heavy toll for independence and
freedom." President Bouteflika further pledged to work with
King Mohammed VI to improve relations between Algeria and
Morocco.
FORD