Reuters AlertNet Lite - Algeria again urges France: admit colonial "crimes"

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Algeria again urges France: admit colonial "crimes"

12 Nov 2006 11:30:46 GMT
Source: Reuters

ALGIERS, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Algeria has reiterated that it is ready to improve ties with France if Paris admits it committed crimes during its 130 years as colonial ruler of the North African country.

Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem restated Algeria's position less than two days before an official visit by French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who is also a leading right-wing presidential hopeful.

France is trying to improve diplomatic ties and economic influence in Africa's second largest country at a time when other European nations and the United States are developing their energy and trade ties with the oil and gas exporter.

"We say to the French that we are ready to establish friendly relations that benefit the interests of the two sides provided that France admits its crimes," said Belkhadem, speaking late on Saturday at a forum organised by state television and flanked by fellow ministers.

"We cannot ask the Algerian people to forget."

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has repeatedly called on France to apologise for crimes committed during the colonial era to help improve bilateral ties with his nation of 33 million.

He has focused on the demand that Paris admit its part in the massacre of 45,000 Algerians who took to the streets to demand independence as Europe celebrated victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

France authorities have responded by urging "mutual respect" and saying it was up to historians to write history.

The 1954-1962 war of independence cost the lives of 1.5 million Algerians, the Algerian government says. Many French also died.

The signature of a treaty of friendship was delayed because France's National Assembly passed a law in February 2005 referring to the "positive role of the French presence overseas, especially in North Africa", and praising Algerians who sided with France during the independence war.

French President Jacques Chirac repealed the law but that did not end the row.

"France has the right to praise those who opted to be French but it does not have the right to praise colonisation," Belkhadem said when asked about the law and Sarkozy's visit.

Sarkozy arrives in Algiers on Monday for two days of talks on migration and counter-terrorism.

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Last updated:Sun Nov 12 11:33:21 2006