Secretary of Defense Visits Algeria to Strengthen Military Ties and Cooperation on Counterterrorism

Secretary Rumsfeld, accompanied by President Bouteflika, gives remarks to the press (F. Azira)

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld visited Algeria on February 12 in an effort to strengthen military ties and cooperation on counterterrorism.  The Secretary’s visit to Algeria was part of a three-nation North African tour that included neighboring Tunisia and Morocco.

During his visit, the Secretary met with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and Minister Delegate for Defense Abdelmalek Guenaïzia.  In remarks to the press, Rumsfeld characterized the bilateral relationship as multifaceted, involving political and economic as well as military cooperation.  He also said the United States greatly values its close counterterrorism cooperation with Algeria and looks forward to strengthening the bilateral military-military relationship, an effort important to both countries.

Rumsfeld compared Algeria’s experience with domestic terrorism and extremism with the United States’ experience with terrorism.  The Secretary recognized that President Bouteflika and the Algerian people have struggled to combat terrorism and extremism at home and are building a forward-looking, economically prosperous and democratic system.  Secretary Rumsfeld said he appreciated President Bouteflika’s assessment that to combat terrorism and extremism, an economic, political, and cultural approach must complement a military approach.

Secretary Rumsfeld’s visit to the Maghreb followed an earlier NATO Ministerial Conference in Taormina, Italy that included the Mediterranean Dialogue countries of Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Mauritania.