http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/
U.S. wants to aid N. African allies but worries about Algeria's ties
with Iran
CAIRO — On the heels of its successful campaign against Al
Qaida-aligned insurgents, Algeria seeks major weapons systems and
platforms from the United States, but has not agreed to submit to
conditions set by the Bush administration.
Officials said Washington is also concerned over Algeria's growing
relationship with Iran. Algeria has also become a leading proponent of
Teheran's nuclear program.
The officials said Rumsfeld discussed Algerian and Tunisian relations
with Iran during his visits to the nations over the past weekend.
The administration has asked for an Algerian commitment to limit the
use of U.S. weapons to defensive missions. Washington has also linked
sales to an Algerian agreement not to transfer lethal weapons to a
third party.
Algiers has not provided such guarantees, officials said.
For years Washington refused to sell weapons to Algeria because of its
poor human rights record. They said this record has improved, and the
Bush administration would consider the sale of night-vision systems,
utility helicopters, radar and training.
Still, the sale of major U.S. weapons platforms to Algeria could
arouse alarm among other U.S. allies in North Africa. Officials
pointed to Algeria's longtime dispute with neighboring Morocco over
Western Sahara. Tunisia was also wary of a powerful Algeria,
whose military has been based on Soviet-origin platforms.
"They are nervous about the balance of power in the region," said an
aide to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. "It's a delicate matter
for us, developing a relationship with Algeria in a way that doesn't
unnerve our two smaller friends."
Al Qaida has targeted all three North African countries. In 2002, Al
Qaida conducted a suicide bombing near an ancient Jewish synagogue in
Tunisia in which 14 people were killed. During the following year, 45
people were killed in a series of coordinated suicide bombings in
Casablanca, Morocco.
"They have been attacked by terrorists in this country," Rumsfeld
said. "They have felt the sting of that type of violence."
U.S. officials said the regime of Algerian President Abdul Aziz
Bouteflika has sought aircraft, munitions and combat vehicles from
Washington. The platforms and systems would be used in the war against
Islamic insurgency groups in Algeria.
"They have an ambitious agenda and want to diversify arms
procurement," an official said.
Algeria outlined its military requirements during talks with Rumsfeld.
On Feb. 12, Rumsfeld met Algerian leaders during his first visit to
the North African state.
The United States has sold non-lethal equipment to help Algeria fight
the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call. But officials said that over
the past two years Algeria has sought weapons and lethal platforms,
including fighter-jets and combat vehicles.
U.S. wants to aid N. African allies but worries about Algeria's ties
with Iran
CAIRO — On the heels of its successful campaign against Al
Qaida-aligned insurgents, Algeria seeks major weapons systems and
platforms from the United States, but has not agreed to submit to
conditions set by the Bush administration.
Officials said Washington is also concerned over Algeria's growing
relationship with Iran. Algeria has also become a leading proponent of
Teheran's nuclear program.
The officials said Rumsfeld discussed Algerian and Tunisian relations
with Iran during his visits to the nations over the past weekend.
The administration has asked for an Algerian commitment to limit the
use of U.S. weapons to defensive missions. Washington has also linked
sales to an Algerian agreement not to transfer lethal weapons to a
third party.
Algiers has not provided such guarantees, officials said.
For years Washington refused to sell weapons to Algeria because of its
poor human rights record. They said this record has improved, and the
Bush administration would consider the sale of night-vision systems,
utility helicopters, radar and training.
Still, the sale of major U.S. weapons platforms to Algeria could
arouse alarm among other U.S. allies in North Africa. Officials
pointed to Algeria's longtime dispute with neighboring Morocco over
Western Sahara. Tunisia was also wary of a powerful Algeria,
whose military has been based on Soviet-origin platforms.
"They are nervous about the balance of power in the region," said an
aide to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. "It's a delicate matter
for us, developing a relationship with Algeria in a way that doesn't
unnerve our two smaller friends."
Al Qaida has targeted all three North African countries. In 2002, Al
Qaida conducted a suicide bombing near an ancient Jewish synagogue in
Tunisia in which 14 people were killed. During the following year, 45
people were killed in a series of coordinated suicide bombings in
Casablanca, Morocco.
"They have been attacked by terrorists in this country," Rumsfeld
said. "They have felt the sting of that type of violence."
U.S. officials said the regime of Algerian President Abdul Aziz
Bouteflika has sought aircraft, munitions and combat vehicles from
Washington. The platforms and systems would be used in the war against
Islamic insurgency groups in Algeria.
"They have an ambitious agenda and want to diversify arms
procurement," an official said.
Algeria outlined its military requirements during talks with Rumsfeld.
On Feb. 12, Rumsfeld met Algerian leaders during his first visit to
the North African state.
The United States has sold non-lethal equipment to help Algeria fight
the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call. But officials said that over
the past two years Algeria has sought weapons and lethal platforms,
including fighter-jets and combat vehicles.