TIP DVC DEEPENS DIALOGUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000205 SIPDIS SIPDIS G/TIP FOR MARK TAYLOR AND GAYATRI PATEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2018 TAGS: PHUM KCRM KWMN PREL PREF AG SUBJECT: TIP DVC DEEPENS DIALOGUE REF: ALGIERS 168 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas F. Daughton; reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (U) A digital video conference on February 19 between Department officials and Algerian counterparts was the latest step in our ongoing engagement with the Algerian government on trafficking in persons. Representing the Algerian government were MFA U.S. desk officer Rachid Ouali, MFA director of human rights, sustainable development, and international social and cultural affairs Lazhar Soualem, and the justice ministry's deputy director of judicial and juridical affairs, Zineb Driss. On the Washington side were G/TIP's Gayatri Patel, Abraham Lee and Shereen Faraj. Ms. Patel provided a thorough overview of U.S. policy on TIP, while Ms. Faraj spoke of funding opportunities that can be used to fight the phenomenon. ¶2. (C) During the question and answer period Soualem, recently back from attending the UN.GIFT forum in Vienna (reftel) acknowledged the global phenomenon of TIP, framing it in the context of international crime. Drug trafficking, money laundering, and TIP are all linked, he asserted. Soualem acknowledged that Algeria is a transit country for illegal immigrants and added the government works with other governments on the issue of illegal immigration. He maintained that it is necessary to address the fundamental reasons that cause individuals to leave their countries, and that such action will help prevent trafficking in persons. Driss spoke at length of the various TIP-related conventions that Algeria has ratified, as well as the country's laws that can be used to combat the problem. She also noted proposed changes in Algeria's laws that will specifically address TIP. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: We view the February 19 DVC as a moderate working-level success. Our guests took copious notes and expressed surprise at our openness and willingness to discuss the issue. They also thought that whatever differences exist between the U.S. and Algeria on the issue were largely based on terminology, not substance. Their discussion underscored, however, the continuing gap in the Algerian government's approach. GOA officials recite the international conventions they have signed and domestic laws they can use to fight TIP, but there is little evidence that those laws are being applied. In addition, although our three guests were an effective and useful audience, we had invited 13 participants from Algerian customs, police, border security, MOJ and MFA. As always, we were required to channel our invitations through the MFA, and it didn't deliver -- a phenomenon we see repeated in many areas. We will nonetheless continue to engage the Algerian government on TIP, and appreciate the assistance of G/TIP in doing so. FORD