(U) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON SAID BOUTEFLIKA

S E C R E T STATE 005902

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2035
TAGS: PINR PGOV AG FR
SUBJECT: (U) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON SAID BOUTEFLIKA
(C-ME9-02723)

REF: PARIS 001704

Classified By: ELISSA G. PITTERLE, DIRECTOR, INR/OPS


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR
APPRECIATION FOR RECENT BIOGRAPHICAL REPORTING ON SAID
BOUTEFLIKA, BROTHER OF ALGERIAN PRESIDENT ABDELAZIZ
BOUTEFLIKA. EMBASSY PARIS'S CABLE WAS TIMELY, COMPREHENSIVE,
AND WILL BE EXTREMELY USEFUL IN FINISHED PRODUCTS ON THE
OTHERWISE OPAQUE ALGERIAN SUCCESSION QUESTION, AS WELL AS ON
BOUTEFLIKA HIMSELF. THE INFORMATION WAS ESPECIALLY VALUABLE
GIVEN THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S INSIGHTS INTO ALGERIAN
POLITICS. AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT, WE WOULD WELCOME
ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS THAT EMBASSY PARIS MAY OBTAIN IN FUTURE
CONVERSATIONS WITH FRENCH OFFICIALS REGARDING THE ALGERIAN
SUCCESSION ISSUE. AGAIN, KUDOS TO EMBASSY PARIS FOR
ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE SO WELL.


2. (S/NF) ANALYSTS RELY HEAVILY ON REPORTING FROM POSTS FOR
DETAILS ON PEOPLE, PERSONAL TRAITS, HEALTH, AND RELATIONSHIPS
IN DRAFTING BIOGRAPHIC REPORTS AND POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS FOR
SENIOR WASHINGTON POLICYMAKERS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED
REPORTING, ESPECIALLY ON THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S VIEWS ON
ABDELAZIZ BOUTEFLIKA'S HEALTH, SAID BOUTEFLIKA AND OTHER
CONTENDERS FOR POWER--SUCH AS PRIME MINISTER AHMED OUYAHIA
AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER ABDELAZIZ BELKHADEM--AND SUCCESSION
POLITICS AND STABILITY IN GENERAL.
CLINTON