Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ALGIERS388
2008-04-02 15:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:  

ACCUSED JOURNALISTS SOBERED BUT UNBOWED BY

Tags:  PREL KDEM KPAO PGOV AG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1339
PP RUEHTRO
DE RUEHAS #0388 0931504
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 021504Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5576
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2650
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 8889
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 2273
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 7126
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 6319
RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 1553
RUEHBP/AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 0502
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3350
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000388 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2018
TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAO PGOV AG
SUBJECT: ACCUSED JOURNALISTS SOBERED BUT UNBOWED BY
PROSPECT OF PRISON

REF: A. ALGIERS 291

B. SECSTATE 29963

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton;
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000388

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2018
TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAO PGOV AG
SUBJECT: ACCUSED JOURNALISTS SOBERED BUT UNBOWED BY
PROSPECT OF PRISON

REF: A. ALGIERS 291

B. SECSTATE 29963

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton;
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On March 26 Pol/Econ Chief and PAO visited the Algiers
offices of the French-language daily El Watan to discuss the
press defamation case against El Watan Director Omar
Belhouchet and columnist Chawki Amari (ref A). Editor-in
Chief Zine Cherfaoui and Amari told us that the paper was
able to support the legal fees of the criminal case, through
its shareholders and boardmembers, but thanked us for
informing them of the possible assistance available through
the Global Human Rights Defenders Fund (ref B). Cherfaoui
referred to a recent spate of defamation cases against
journalists at smaller, regional media organs and said that
they, by contrast, might not have the resources to mount a
successful defense against criminal charges. We are looking
into these cases and seeking to contact several accused
journalists in other parts of Algeria.


2. (C) Both Cherfaoui and Amari were grateful for the visit
and the support we expressed, but said the U.S. was "not
speaking out" enough against the criminalization of press
defamation, which they said was "dangerous" for Algeria.
(Note: We advised the two of a conference organized for May 2
in Algiers and May 3 in Oran that will offer an opportunity
for the Ambassador to speak publicly on the occasion of
International Press Freedom Day. End note.) The charges
against Belhouchet and Amari carry a sentence of two months
in prison, which Amari said he was fully prepared to serve
"if that is what it takes" to fight for press freedom in
Algeria. Amari was nonetheless somewhat skeptical that he
would actually be required to serve hard time. According to
Amari, official notification to the two to report to prison
could come within four to five weeks, but the final word from
the Supreme Court might drag the matter out for up to a year.
DAUGHTON