SUPPORT FOR AQIM MAKES ALI BENHADJ ONCE AGAIN A

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ALGIERS 000097

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2027
TAGS: PTER PINS KISL AG
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR AQIM MAKES ALI BENHADJ ONCE AGAIN A
POLITICAL HOT POTATO

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


1. (C) Ali Benhadj, the former leader of the outlawed Islamic
Salvation Front (FIS),has lent his name and support to the
recruiting efforts of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
Contacts tell us that the government views Benhadj as a
threat to its anti-AQIM efforts, but believes putting him
back in prison would be too dangerous due to the widespread
popular support he still enjoys. The well-informed editor of
the Arabic-language Ennahar newspaper, Mohamed al-Moqadam
(strictly protect),told the Ambassador on January 23 that
Benhadj is inciting young Algerians to join AQIM through his
speeches and statements. Moqadam and Souad Azouz, a
journalist at Ennahar, were adamant that Benhadj remains
influential on the Algerian scene.

CELLBLOCK MUSINGS
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2. (C) Moqadam gave us a copy of Benhadj's book entitled,
"Separate Conversations on the Injustice of Rulers," which
Benhadj wrote while in jail in 1992. The book is widely
circulated on Jihadi websites and can be easily downloaded
from official Al-Qaeda website, al-hesbah
(www.al-hesbah.com). Its 300 pages are divided into chapters
focusing on Islamic issues ranging from how to bring an
Islamic state to power to resisting Western countries.
Benhadj's book is dedicated to "all those who carry the
Qur'an in one hand and a machine gun in the other."
According to Benhadj, it is the duty of every Algerian whose
rights have been violated to fight the current regime, which
he says is manipulated by the military. Benhadj asserts that
if he were not "behind prison walls I would be with my
mujahideen brothers fighting this regime until all the
Algerian Muslim people are free to choose their own leaders."
Admitting that his words will cost him dearly in the future,
Benhadj closes the book with, "I do not care about killing a
Muslim, no matter which side he is aligned with, as my death
is for God." (Comment: AQIM uses a similar theme in their
communiques. End Comment.)


3. (C) Ennahar reporter Souad Azouz (strictly protect)
described Ali Benhadj as a "fahel" (Arabic for "stallion").
Benhadj, according to Azouz, is still very popular and highly
respected among both young and old Algerians because of his
consistent stance against the Algerian government. She told
us January 23 that Benhadj's aggressive rhetoric gives
Algerians hope that someone is strong enough to stand up and
speak about their pain and suffering. When asked why the
Algerian government doesn't arrest Benhadj, Moqadam said it
is afraid that doing so would cause civil unrest to break
out. (Note: Benhadj reportedly gives speeches in mosques and
at other public gatherings despite being banned from doing so
under his current legal status. End note.)

STILL POPULAR
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4. (C) Both journalists observed that the government has not
articulated a vision that people in Algeria can understand.
Nor has any political party done so, they claimed. Instead,
they opined, only two people appear to have a vision
Algerians can hold onto. One is Louisa Hanoune, the head of
the Trotskyist Workers' Party; the other is Ali Benhadj.
(Comment: It's noteworthy that Hanoune and Benhadj also
happen to be two of the most articulate and effective stump
speakers in the country, interspersing Algerian Arabic into
their remarks for an extra touch of populism. End Comment.)


5. (C) COMMENT: Ali Benhadj's 19-year-old youngest son, Abd
al-Qahar, joined AQIM's ranks in April 2007. According to
Moqadam, Abd al-Qahar was recently promoted to assist Abu
Salah (the AQIM Media Committee director) because of his
knowledge of computers and internet use. He was allegedly
recruited at the Al-Fatih mosque in Algiers, the same mosque
his father attends. In a recruitment video message posted on
AQIM's website on June 21, AQIM clearly seeks to exploit the
popularity of Ali Benhadj by making good use of the son as a
propaganda tool. Benhadj the father frequently releases
statements to the Arabic media, and still gets plenty of

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attention and support. On September 11, 2007, Benhadj was
briefly arrested after criticizing the late General Smain
Lamari, number two in the intelligence service. Benhadj was
quickly released, however, either in keeping with President
Bouteflika's national reconciliation policy or out of fear
that his captivity would destabilize the population.
DAUGHTON