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