Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ALGIERS499
2006-03-21 07:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:  

NEA A/S WELCH TELLS MFA SECRETARY GENERAL WE STILL

Tags:  MARR MASS PREL AG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAS #0499 0800724
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 210724Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0595
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 1229
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 6065
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1179
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1701
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000499 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL AG
SUBJECT: NEA A/S WELCH TELLS MFA SECRETARY GENERAL WE STILL
NEED A SOFA

Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Erdman,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000499

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL AG
SUBJECT: NEA A/S WELCH TELLS MFA SECRETARY GENERAL WE STILL
NEED A SOFA

Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Erdman,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) In a March 14 discussion with MFA Secretary General
Lamamra on other issues, NEA A/S Welch raised continuing U.S.
interest in concluding a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
with Algeria. Such a step made sense in the context of our
growing bilateral cooperation and would enable the further
development of mutually beneficial cooperation in this
important area. Lamamra, noting previous exchanges on this
issue, said that although the GOA welcomed joint training
exercises with the U.S. armed forces, Algeria was not yet
ready to enter into a formal SOFA.


2. (C) Ambassador said we understood Algerian sensitivities
on this issue but would face distinct limitations on how far
this kind of cooperation could develop in the absence of the
kind of protections afforded by a SOFA agreement. For this
reason, we had taken up the suggestion of Foreign Minister
Bedjaoui to seek on a case by case basis the necessary
assurances -- essentially protections for U.S. forces engaged
in joint exercises that would be equivalent to those accorded
to technical and administrative staff under the Vienna
Convention -- via an exchange of diplomatic notes for each
exercises.


3. (C) Ambassador said he had provided the text of a
proposed exchange of notes along these lines to the FM
Bedjaoui for a small joint exercise that was to be held last
November. Unfortunately, the MFA never responded to our
proposed note and, in order to allow the exercise to go
forward, the EUCOM Commander issued a waiver. It was
important, the Ambassador emphasized, that the GOA not/not be
left with the impression that we did not need some form of
written assurances for future joint exercises. The waiver
was only possible because the number of U.S. troops
participating in the joint exercise had been quite small,
thus limiting the risk. As these joint exercises became
larger and more complex, we needed to have a clear legal
context in order to deal with contingencies that could arise.


4. (C) Lamamra noted our mutual interest in developing our
military cooperation and said the Algeria side would take
note of the U.S. interest in securing SOFA protections for
personnel involved in joint exercises.


5. (U) A/S Welch has cleared this message.

ERDMAN