C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000589

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2028
TAGS: PTER PREL AG ML MR NG
SUBJECT: MALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS ALGERIA

REF: A. ALGERIA 00548

B. BAMAKO 00463

Classified By: Ambassador Robert S. Ford. Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (U) On May 20, the Algerian media reported that Malian
Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane visited Algeria on May 19 to
secure Algerian re-engagement on negotiations between the
Malian government and Tuareg rebels in Northern Mali.
According to press reports, after Ouane met with President
Abdelaziz Bouteflika, he announced that he was pleased that
President Bouteflika had agreed to resume the Algerian role
as mediator in the crises that have shaken northern Mali
(also reported ref b).


2. (C) MFA Director General for African Affairs Ismail
Chergui (A/S equivalent) told Ambassador on May 20 that the
press reports were accurate and Algeria had agreed to resume
its mediator role. Chergui did not know when the next round
of discussions would resume. He did indicate a lingering
uncertainty towards working with Mali, given past problems
between the two countries. Chergui added that Algeria had
heard Libya was planning to bring Libyan and Nigerien Tuaregs
to meet with Malian Tuaregs in Mali but the Malians had not
given the Algerians a good feel for the goal of such a
meeting. He noted that this was an example of the kind of
activity between Mali and Libya that raises doubts in
Algeria.
FORD