October 25,2005

Friends and colleagues,

Thank you for joining us today.  I am pleased to be here to mark another step forward for the Algerian-American friendship.  On November 5^th, the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section will reopen for all temporary visitor visas.

The signs of our deepening and broadening relationship are many.  The flow of trade between our two countries is rising steadily.  The American Corner cultural center recently opened its doors in the Algerian National Library, and is doing well in its mission to promote mutual understanding.  We are breaking ground in a few days on a new $72 million embassy chancery here in El Biar—-a very concrete investment and sign of confidence in our growing relations and Algeria’s future.

At the same time, more Americans are traveling to Algeria to visit and to work, and we are welcoming more Algerians to the United States, to great American cities like New York and Houston and throughout the country.  This summer, a new Algerian restaurant started serving lunch just blocks from the Department of State in Washington.  I am told this diner has been well received in the community, and has been favorably reviewed by our capital’s leading daily, the Washington Post.

It was on March 11, 1995 that the Embassy Consular Section cut back visa services.  This came not long after the 1992 closure of the U.S. Consulate in Oran.  Yet the United States never left Algeria, and we never stopped issuing visas for travel to America.  In 1996, we issued 1,550 visas in this building.  In 2004, 2,696 people received visas.  This year, in 2005, we will come close to 3,000.

For the last decade, many Algerians—-especially non-official visitors traveling to the United States for the first time—-have had to travel to Tunis to apply for an American visa.  On November 5^th, the journey will become much shorter—-for some, as short as a walk down the street, or a taxi up the hill.

We are working to make the application process simple and straightforward.  Anyone interested in travel to the United States—-for business, tourism, study, or temporary work—-can now directly schedule an interview and fill out an application form online at our website: http://algiers.usembassy.gov.

The United States is committed to a policy of “Secure Borders, Open Doors.”  We are also committed to the principle that the free circulation of our citizens—-Americans and Algerians—-fosters closer ties, expanding trade, new ideas, and deeper understanding.  Naturally, as in the past, applicants will need to meet all requirements in order to obtain a visa.  Not everyone who seeks a visa will receive one.  But we are confident that this reopening will mean more travel by well-qualified Algerians to America.

The 5^th of November will be a new milestone for our two countries.  It is our hope and conviction that this reopening will bring real benefits to all of us.

Thank you and Bon Voyage.