ALGERIA COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING PALESTINIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000778 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/IPA - ASACHAR E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018 TAGS: PREL KWBG KPAL PGOV ECON IS AG SUBJECT: ALGERIA COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY REF: STATE 071463 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche to Messaoud Benziad, Deputy Director of MFA's office of Mashreq Affairs. We thanked Benziad for Algeria's support for the Palestinian Authority thus far, noting reftel points that Algeria is one of three Arab League countries that has pledged support this year. Benziad said that "it goes without saying" that Algeria would continue to support the Palestinian cause, explaining that Algeria pledges USD 52.3 million per year through the Arab League. In response to the current economic crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority, Benziad said Algeria had added an additional USD 10 million to its pledge this year. He confirmed that on the Palestinian issue, Algeria does not act unilaterally but prefers to act and offer assistance through the Arab League. ¶2. (C) Benziad assured us that Algeria has been prodding other Arab League members to offer additional support as well, noting however that "we should not expect" some Arab League states to assist if they lacked the means. When we suggested that additional support could be offered in the form of fuel subsidies or other material assistance, Benziad liked the idea and said that he thought Algeria "might be able to assist" in this area as well and would discuss the matter with its Arab League partners. Benziad reiterated Algeria's support for the Palestinian Authority, but said that any long-term solution had to involve negotiations between Hamas and the PA to end the divisions within the Palestinian ranks. DAUGHTON