Algeria: Developments and Dilemmas (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Aug. 18, 1998 |
| Report Number |
98-219 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Carol Migdalovitz, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
This report provides background information on the civil strife in Algeria, updating developments
since the government abandoned talks with the Islamist Salvation Front in 1995 and began a process
of institution-building. The result, however, did not restore peace. Rather, violence has become
more indiscriminate. The culprits are harder to identify and may include government forces as well
as Islamist extremists. Policymakers face the dilemma of wishing to hold the government to a higher
standard of conduct as the upholder of the rule of law, while not wanting terrorists to benefit from
criticisms of the government. The European Union, European governments, and the United States
are reluctant to act for differing reasons, but support an international inquiry. For congressional
concern, see H.Res. 374 , April 28, 1998. For background, see CRS Report 96-392,
Algeria: Four Years of Crisis .
