[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ALGERIA TRIP REPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2001

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, on February 24-26, 2001, accompanied by 
former Ambassador David Laux, I traveled to Algeria to meet with key 
officials and attend celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the 
Sahrawi Republic in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria. The 
meetings and discussions with the President, Prime Minister and Cabinet 
Members in Algeria reflected officials who hold great concern for their 
nation and the development of their economy and society, as well as 
concern for North Africa and the whole of Africa.
  Creative solutions were presented for problems facing the government 
as they seek to modernize the financial, security, and democracy 
aspects of Algeria. There were clear indications that the Algerian 
government desires to stabilize their economy to attract foreign, 
particularly U.S. investment (current U.S. investment is $3.5 billion, 
projected to grow to $6 billion in the next two years due to increased 
energy investment), and to cooperate in security/terrorism issues with 
the U.S. Government. A two and a half hour meeting with President 
Bouteflicka revealed a statesman with great insight, leadership 
abilities and vision for his nation and the continent, exemplified in 
the President's key role in helping bring peace in the Ethiopia/Eritrea 
conflict and his leadership in the OAU in pursuing economic development 
in all of Africa. The impressive character and qualities of the 
President also are reflected in his Cabinet and the current Ambassador 
of Algeria serving in Washington, D.C. His Excellency Idriss Jazairy.
  The Algerian people and government are also to be commended for their 
great hospitality towards the Sahrawi refugees. Many of the Sahrawi 
people fled their homeland of Western Sahara over 25 years ago due to 
the conflict over Western Sahara. The Algerian people have graciously 
allowed the Sahrawis to live in refugee camps in Tindouf and have been 
supportive of humanitarian aid to assist the refugees arriving from all 
over the world. Under the leadership of President Bouteflicka, Algeria 
has continued to extend hospitality to the refugees and not presented 
obstacles to the Sahrawis governing themselves in the Sahrawi 
Democratic Republic.
  Upon my return to the United States, I shared my impressions about 
Algeria with a number of individuals, including Secretary of State 
Colin Powell. I suggested to Secretary Powell the idea of holding an 
Africa Summit with key African leaders, such as President Bouteflicka 
of Algeria, for President Bush to listen and learn from those leaders 
as he shapes his policies on Africa and for the African leaders to 
garner international support for their vision to help eliminate 
poverty, elevate standards of living, and bring hope to the people of 
Africa through a variety of measures.
  In light of the various visions and solutions discussed in the 
meetings, there are several long term and short term practical actions 
the people of Pennsylvania and the U.S. government can take to support 
democratic, economic, and security developments in Algeria. My hope is 
to assist in building a strong relationship between the people of 
Algeria and United States and our governments through the following 
projects:
  Encourage President Bush to hold an Africa Summit with the leaders of 
the OAU in which the President can learn about Africa and African 
leaders can share ways in which the international community can support 
their vision to help the people of Africa.
  Assist the Algerian Minister of Agriculture on his visit to the U.S. 
by arranging meetings with leading agricultural companies and 
producers.
  Interact with leading U.S. wheat producers regarding the potential 
opportunities for investment in Algeria.
  Encourage the U.S. Department of State, Near East Division, about the 
need for increased counter-terrorism training and cooperation between 
Algeria and the United States.
  Encourage the establishment of an Algerian-U.S. business council.
  Assist in coordinating training seminars for Algerian Army regarding 
democracy and human rights.
  Assist in coordinating police training seminars for Algerian police.
  Assist in coordinating lecture, seminar series/academic exchanges at 
U.S. and Algerian universities.
  Investigate water resource issues and possible expertise cooperation.
  People to people exchanges and humanitarian projects, including 
medical equipment, police/forensics equipment, English textbooks, etc.

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