Algeria rejects UN probe into December 11th attacks

17/01/2008

The United Nations has declared its intentions to conduct an independent inquiry into the events of December 11th in Algiers. The Algerian government has rejected the idea, saying it represents interference in the country's domestic affairs.

By Lyes Aflou for Magharebia in Algiers – 17/01/08

[Getty Images] Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem spoke out against the UN call for an independent probe into the December 11th attacks in Algiers. Belkadem called the inquiry a "unilateral measure" and expressed "grave reservations and concerns".

Algeria has opposed plans announced by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday (January 14th) for an independent probe into the December 11th suicide bombings, saying the move is an attempt to interfere in domestic affairs. Despite international pressure, Algiers has refused to allow inquiry committees into the country since the terrorist attacks of the 1990s.

In the official statement on Monday, the UN chief "decided to appoint an independent panel to establish all the facts concerning the Algiers attack and also to address strategic issues vital to the delivery and enhancement of staff security for the United Nations in its operations around the world."

Although the statement specified that the panel "will seek the full co-operation of the Algerian governmental authorities", the Algerian government has roundly disapproved of the initiative.

Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem signalled Algeria’s sentiments to the UN chief Wednesday in Madrid at the Alliance of Civilisations conference. According to state media, Belkhadem expressed "grave reservations and concerns of Algeria" over what he called a "unilateral measure".

"The Algerian ambassador to the UN was not consulted and Algeria’s views have not been taken into account", Belkhadem said, adding that "the rules have been totally ignored".

Ban Ki-moon has said talks will continue between the UN and Algeria.

Algerian political parties have unanimously condemned the UN initiative, defending the principle of national sovereignty and insisting that domestic security forces are capable of carrying out investigations.

"It was an attack which took place in Algeria and is a matter for [Algeria] alone," said National Liberation Front spokesman Said Bouhadja. "It’s our security services who should be conducting the inquiry, not a foreign body", he added, asking why the UN did not consult Algerian authorities.

The UN investigation is also seen as infringing on national sovereignty by the Movement of Society for Peace. Communications chief Mohamed Djemaa spoke of "interference" in Algerian affairs, stating that party members "totally reject the idea of an inquiry being conducted on Algerian soil [and] have always declared our opposition to such initiatives."

Djemaa continued, "If attacks occur in Europe or other countries, these states carry out investigations unaided. So why is it that in a third-world country which is also a sovereign state, people are quick to call for independent inquiries?"

"Security in Algeria and all events in the country are a matter for Algerians, no one else", commented Mr. Boulahia of the El Islah movement, which also opposes the idea of "foreign agents carrying out inquiries in Algeria". He added that "with all the experience our security services have gained in over a decade, they are quite capable of carrying out inquiries without any help."

The public is also calling the UN probe into question. Bank worker Abdellah Faisal asked: "The fact that they’re thinking of setting up an inquiry committee indicates that they have doubts, but about what – the identities of those who carried out the attacks? The people who masterminded them?"

Teacher Omar Boudaoui said the UN should explain the suspicions behind its decision to investigate the attacks, for which al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb has already claimed responsibility.

Commenting on the investigation announcement at a press conference on Wednesday (January 16th), UN Development Programme head Kemal Dervis said Algerian authorities disregarded a UN request to step up security around the UN offices in Algiers. Although the UN resident security officer proposed some measures to improve security at the UN building, including blocking off nearby streets, "The government did not respond to that. That we know as a fact," AFP quoted Dervis as saying.

The attacks on the offices of the High Commission for Refugees in Algiers and the Supreme Court in Hydra on December 11th killed at least 41 people, including 17 UN employees.