Algeria: A New President and His Policies (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Aug. 24, 1999 |
| Report Number |
RS20312 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Carol Migdalovitz, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The powerful Algerian army appears to have sought President Liamine Zeroual's early departure
from office and, in elections held in April 1999, Abdulaziz Bouteflika was elected to replace him.
The opposition charged that the elections were fraudulent. Bouteflika had served as Foreign
Minister from 1963-78, but had been absent from the country for some years. After seven years of
civil war between government security forces and Islamist militants, Bouteflika has proposed a "civil
concord" or amnesty to advance the prospects for domestic peace. Rising oil prices could enable him
to address some of the country's many socioeconomic problems, should he choose to do so.
Bouteflika already has reactivated Algeria's foreign policy to restore its international prestige. The
outlook for U.S.-Algerian relations appears positive, as modest bilateral military contacts solidify
ties that have a firm commercial foundation and Bouteflika seems open to improvements. For
background, see CRS Report 98-219(pdf) F, Algeria: Developments and Dilemmas , and CRS Report 96-392F, Algeria: Four Years of Crisis . This report will be updated if
developments warrant.
