ALGERIA UNLIKELY TO FOLLOW RUSSIA ON SOUTH OSSETIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000942 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/RUS KSZPILA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018 TAGS: PREL RS GG AG SUBJECT: ALGERIA UNLIKELY TO FOLLOW RUSSIA ON SOUTH OSSETIA AND ABKHAZIA REF: A. STATE 90978 ¶B. STATE 91894 Classified By: DCM Thomas F. Daughton; reasons 1.4 (b, d). (C) During an August 26 meeting with MFA Director for Eastern European Affairs Fatah Mahrez, we delivered reftel demarches and reinforced U.S. concerns regarding Russian recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries. Fatah said that Algeria would need time to develop an official position; however, he reiterated Algeria's non-aligned position on the right of self-determination within the framework of international law and the UN process. Mahrez predicted Algeria's position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia would likely be similar to its position on Kosovo, i.e., opposition to recognition. He said the question of recognition was a legal matter that should be resolved in the UN. Mahrez added that Algeria preferred a negotiated solution to the conflict between Georgia and Russia, and regretted the escalation of the past weeks. Mahrez agreed to contact us regarding further developments in Algeria's position. PEARCE