Moussa. Posted 2008-02-12

Even if in my very heart I am for him, just because he is 100 percent Algerian, I would prefer it if there weren’t a third term for our president. I would like to say that he loves his country and his people and that he would even give his life for his country. Just think about those old, corrupt fat cats who are barking behind him, all the while forgetting about what Algeria was like in 1990. If there will be a new president, then I hope he will be a young nationalist who loves his country and works simply for Algeria’s interests. Thank you

افريقيا Posted 2008-02-12

I am against the idea of a third mandate, not from a political point of view, but for no other reason but for president Bouteflika to preserve his dignity.

ولد باه Posted 2008-02-12

Reforming the constitution to extend the mandate of his Excellency, this kills democracy, if it exists in fact, in Algeria. The rulers of Algeria should take Mauritania as example if they know.

NORI Posted 2008-02-12

What has he done for the average citizen so as to deserve a third term!? Have he and his government not understood congress’s lessons!? One should not try to last forever. Be an example and go down in history. That is better that trying to present oneself as something that is impossible. Learning this lesson will be seriously catastrophic for all of our plans.

REDOUANE Posted 2008-02-12

I almost vomited last night when listening to Ammimour talk to Alhiwar. He and his FLN colleagues always present themselves as an immature group of people. As if 40 years of dictatorship has not been enough for us! So, let us ask this channel to invite some real opposition to this regime to explain themselves as well (for example, Zitout.) It needs to be known that the FLN’s ENTV, along with all their collaborators like the RND and Selme, have marginalized the RCD.

KADER Posted 2008-02-12

I think that this coalition is just pissing in the sand. Tell me, when have there been free elections in Algeria?

شكري من الجزائر Posted 2008-02-12

The Algerian people think that democracy is chaos. That was the result we achieved eight years ago. It is in a deadlock as no one -- police officers, teachers, servants, doctors or lawyers -- is respected by the people of chaos in their work. When president Bouteflika returned to the presidency, he wanted to wipe out the wounds and assuage the hatred and tumult. If president Boutefilka runs for a third mandate, we the Algerian people want to implement the stick for the disobedient.

محمد المهدي الأغواطي Posted 2008-02-12

Anyone who has looked at Bouteflika's biography will see some great achievements which could give Algerian citizens some hope in their country's future. Even in 2000, when I returned to Algeria after an absence of 10 years, and witnessed some of the president's attitudes and despite the pessimism spread among the observers of the events, I confided to a friend that the situation in Algeria will never be resolved if it is not done by Bouteflika. My hope was and is still in this president who witnessed the triumph of national liberation. He is experienced in challenges of independence. He had Boumediene's ear and then he suffered the hardship of exile and deportation by the regime which was founded with his contribution. In my opinion, all this experience made of him the sole president who understands the concerns of young people and the ordinary citizen. During his first and second mandates, Bouteflika knew how to change conditions in Algeria with his audacious positions. They were total u-turns and they could have been withdrawn in the face of a system of checks and balances which many think weren't appropriate in all situations. For all this, I am calling president Bouteflika to be remembered in history as the president who enhanced the respect of the constitution and refused to modify it. In this case, he will be remembered by coming generations as the president whose attitude of refusing a third mandate changed the track of the democratic renaissance in Algeria. The deniers and opportunists should know that Algeria has men and women who are capable and qualified to hold the torch of responsibility and continue the path of national development. When we say these words, our rejection of a third mandate and our devotion to the constitution is not associated with the evaluation of the president or his qualifications for this post. The danger of this choice may not noticed by many people, but Bouteflika's decision in the coming period will have serious consequences for Algerian society. Consequences which will outline the future of Algeria for many years to come. So what will President Bouteflika's decision be?

Omar Posted 2008-02-13

A third term for the president would not change a thing in the way has been governed. It is just wishful thinking! Algeria needs a new parlementarian constitution (NOT A PRESIDENTIAL CONSTITUTION)that should allow for the parlement to assume its leardership responsibilities. The people will certainly recognize themselves in a real and true national assembly that is responsive and accountable to the will of the people. The president should be an honorifique title, a wise man of some sort who can only advise the prime minister and the parlement. Under this arrangement, the president can be there for 3 or 4 terms provided that he/she understands his/her role. Algeria has suffered enough and for a long time.

TOUFIK 13 Posted 2008-02-13

I would prefer the president leave the government with his head held high. Otherwise, he is going to discredit himself in the eyes of all democracies by violating the constitution and playing the games of the smugglers in our currently rotten government. Just something to think about.

محمد من الجزائر Posted 2008-02-13

I am for a third and fourth mandate for our father Bouteflika, the man we as Algerians are proud of. We’re all with you. May God protect Algeria and annihilate its enemies.

Attia2 Posted 2008-02-14

For my part, I am not against a third term for the president, but I would rather hope for a life-term which would be subject to several changes: certain members of the current executive branch who do not fulfil their commissions need to be cleaned out; corruption, which has become a right in our days, must be fought; the president must be authoritarian and take the measures needed to force out these aforementioned embezzlers in public positions; jobs for young people must be created; there needs to be freedom of expression in the true meaning of those words; the afflictions of drugs and prostitution need to be fought; and, the blood sucking importers of basic commodities and a whole plethora of other things need to be fought too. There you have it: a few of my suggestions.

بنت الجزائر Posted 2008-02-14

I am for a third mandate and hope that the president will succeed in fulfilling national reconciliation inchallah so that sweet Algeria is rid of the threat of criminal terrorism. The question of constitutional reform is quite a regular question but the question that remains is why haven’t those who oppose the reform of the constitution opposed former reforms as the constitution was reformed several times? Can anyone reply?

youba Posted 2008-02-14

What an absurd idea: every time an Arab president arrives at the end of his term the constitution—the very same constitution he proposed—is changed. This just goes to show to what point our leaders only fight for their very own interests. Even if he changes his term in the slightest, what will the majority of the population be thinking? They will accept this absurd idea of continuing the presidential terms so as not to return to our original situation, even though the idea of changing the constitution is in itself a return to the original situation, that is: the situation we had before the presidency.

واضح Posted 2008-02-14

The torch should be given to the new generation who understands the problems of this era in which they were born…Bouteflika has good intentions but he belongs to the old generation but he doesn’t understand this generation…Bouteflika should follow the example of Putin if he believes in democracy.

djamazz Posted 2008-02-14

I would like to make a few clarifications regarding some erroneous terminology. First, we cannot, juridically speaking, talk about a violation of the constitution, as it gives the Chief of State the right to make amendments through two processes: either through the two chambers of parliament (the National Assembly and the Senate) or through a vote for referendum. Second, no petition, whatever it may be, can validly oppose institutional prerogatives as established by the constitution. Rather, only the ballot box has this power. The shame is that the so-called “intellectuals” have not managed to distinguish between the two!!!

Farid Posted 2008-02-14

In response to Moiz: Who are you to push Algerians to revolt against this system (as you call it). Bouteflika has nothing to gain by staying in office for an extra term. In any case, Algeria has been doing better ever since he has been in office. He has God’s blessings. Since his election in 1999, oil prices have continued to go up. In addition, for those who wonder where the oil and gas money are going, I can tell you that it is simply thanks to this oil money that we are getting products such as wheat, sugar and coffee imported. You have to be logical to say that Algeria is not doing anything. How should you go about feeding 33 million people? It has to be said that our compatriots rely on the state heavily for their livelihood, as they have been accustomed to a one-party regime where the state did everything for them. Now — and Bouteflika has said this multiple times — we need roll up our sleeves and get working. It need not be forgotten that in recent years Bouteflika started the construction of one-million residences. And, for whom did he do this? He has also given 50 million for people who build their own houses. There is the East-West Highway (more than 1200-kilometres long) and the Plateaux Highway (more than 1300-kilometres long), not to mention the 23 dams being built and other major construction sites. Do not go blowing your mouth off! Moreover, do not forget Tunisia: their president has been there for over 20 years and they are politically stable. We are no better than they are. So, keep your advice to yourself. The people are not fools; we know that Bouteflika bothers people. But, we need to keep him around. In Morocco, it is the King who governs. No matter which party wins the election, they just change their façade; it is not like Spain, Sweden or Britain. Thank you

IBTISSEM Posted 2008-02-15

We need another revolution for independence! Help us!

djida Posted 2008-02-15

A third term for Bouteflika and his heads of state would be a sort of act of defiance against the Algerians. At this moment, all the ingredients are there to set off a disaster like that of Kenya: theft, aggression, kidnapping, falling purchasing power, banditry, large-scale embezzlement (including that at the hands of the Housing Minister and dean of a university), incompetent leaders and riots. Where is Algeria headed? -Mr. Boudiaf

HB Posted 2008-02-15

All the world’s scum only leaves political office with a coup d’état or when they die.

ben Posted 2008-02-16

At the very moment when Algeria is calling for foreign investment and tourists, the FLN gives them this image by going and changing the constitution like an old shirt. What kind of reputation does this give us? This reminds me of Syria. We do not even respect our own laws. What a shame! May God protect us!

must Posted 2008-02-16

There are no photographs here, yes for a third term, let us indeed not forget the 1990s. Thank you

juba Posted 2008-02-16

To return to our writer, Mouloud Feraoun, he said that “our enemies tomorrow will be worse than those of today.” This reflection was made in the midst of the Algerian war. Today, we have just verified what Ferouan said yesterday. This Bouteflika of ours, this power-sick man, wants a third term. I must ask, in whose name does he deserve this? This usurper of the government, driven by the desire for revenge after having crossed the desert to come to power, has poisoned this beautiful country, and the only cure is the people. Everything points to catastrophe: he decided to amend Article 74 of the constitution just to stay in power and he is backed by organisations of circumstance and chief organizer Belkhadem. This is the same man who was received in 1992 by Iran’s ambassador in the USA, and, in the course of their discussion, this vermin promised an Islamic republic in the near future. Know, Belkhadem, that you will never attain your goal so long as there are free men and women in this country. You have succeeded in turning this constitution into a prostitute, violating it every time you dare speak. Belkhadem, Bouteflika and Zerhouni, you are nothing but traitors and you should well know that these people—the same people who face the colonial machination and, later, terrorism—will finish by facing you! I promise a great revolt to forever rid our dear country of you. Long live Algeria!

KHIERA Posted 2008-02-17

Why don’t you do this sort of thing in Morocco!? It would do a lot more good there than here in Algeria. No! Look at Sefrou, where thousands of Moroccans are imprisoned and tortured. They have been atrociously imprisoned since 1999. And, the civil war caused an embargo to be imposed that led to our country’s failings. But, your country has been stable ever since 1900. What have you done? Explain to me what the Years of Lead were? What is left of the Moroccan economy? Um… Well… Nothing!!! Indeed, Hassan II sold everything off to the multinationals.

roumaissa Posted 2008-02-18

Salam alaikoum brother believers. Firstly, I pray for the mercy of the souls of our faithful martyrs on the occasion of the national day of the martyr which coincides 18/02 every year. In the name of God, I am with a permanent mandate for the greatest supporter Abdelaziz Bouteflika. May God grant him long life. We pray for forgiveness for Sir Abdelkader the revolutionary. Salam.

Hamza Posted 2008-02-18

You are part of this rotten system, and you defend it because you profit from it, on the backs of the poor! We would be better off without you. Leave Algeria; you have betrayed the memory of the Mujahideen!

AHMED-bab.o 16 Posted 2008-02-20

I completely agree with Nadir, but we should not group everything together, that is: the government and the Algerian people. It needs to be said that, in its arrogance towards its neighbours, it is the Algerian government that is opposed to the building of the Grand Maghreb. This government is looking for whatever means possible to divorce Mauritania from Morocco. When the president came to Tunisia, it was just as a sign of recognition. It is shameful to behave in this way. I have a brother, a high official, and his colleagues ousted and rejected him because he refused to wheel and deal with them. Frankly, I tell you that Algeria is on the verge of collapsing and soon we are going to support an enormous social explosion. Corruption is raging everywhere, from the simple minor officials to the ministers.

FATIHA Posted 2008-02-20

How can you want the Arab countries to progress with this backwards mentality like Kheira and Taous have?

امازيغي حر Posted 2008-02-22

I’m surprised at some noisy crows which see in the third mandate a rescue for Algeria. Without hypocrisy or deceit, what has the president done, he made of regionalism a currency and religion for his government and every bad person appeared to be competent. Young people become a bait to fish; he took out sheikhs from their coffin to govern the intellectual class with their ignorance as if there are no men but them after they pushed the best nationalist to immigration or silence. He used the money of the nation without monitor; injustice became the master in his justice which he spoilt instead of reforming. He cares for himself before wishing the good for this country, I won’t be a drummer, what he took is enough for him and his tribe. Leave Algeria, it is good without him. We need a president in his fifties who respects the people and constitution and swears on its respect, then he would like to reform it as the president wants to do and he won’t because as the obscurantist power was stopped, anyone who wants to revive the one-party and dictatorship will be stopped and doomed to failure because as young people confront the sea with death boats will confront anyone who will touch the achievements of October 88 which will remain the triumph and eternity to everyone concerned about his country and won’t be like the deaf in a wedding, and won’t gage his country in the hands of a dying old man, won’t put it in the hands of opportunists whose aim is to eat the pickings left by their lords. I will be happy if he received a Nobel Prize because this is the only prize where there are no hypocrites and opportunists.

khiera Posted 2008-02-22

“And proud of it!!!” You animal! The law is not to be trampled upon! Why don’t you go sell your soul??? Boumediene (rahmatoullah) will materialize during his lifetime like he wanted even if it takes 132 YEARS, the Western Sahara will be independent and the borders will open. There you have it, Kheira, you 100 per cent, Polisario, SADR.

backouche Posted 2008-02-26

I would rather the president give up the idea of a third term. This is unconstitutional and it disrespects our future generations. Those who are applauding this third term now are just doing so because it is in their own interests and not in the interest of the entire country. The people now need someone who will protect them, give them dignity, and conduct themselves in the greater interest of the country and open up all available opportunities without complicating things.

mansouri Posted 2008-02-27

What purpose would a third term have? In any case, he is like a weather vane, turning whichever way the wind blows. He has forgotten that there are people dying of hunger in this so rich country. –Hchouma

كمال بن سبع - باتنة- Posted 2008-02-28

In the name of God, peace and prayer upon the messenger of God, the support of the Algerian people, and asking our father his Excellency the president of the republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika to reform the constitution namely article 74 which will enable him to go on with his program which gave a strong boost to the Algerian people who have undergone many crises and thanks to God and thanks to the experience of our dear president Abdelaziz, hope is restored again and the process of development, peace and security was relaunched…we ask God Almighty to grant long life to our dear president…Salam.

baraka 2 Posted 2008-02-28

So long as there is the FLN and its by-products, there is no need to wait for a change.

berra Posted 2008-03-01

I am against a third term, even if it was the Prophet himself. The constitution is clear, precise and to the point. There is nothing more to say. First off, the president still has not announced his intentions. However, there is not reason not to doubt this: “There is no smoke without a fire.” He truly does want a third term. It is time to tell him “Enough already!” and moreover “It is time to go!” Any time to find you have overstayed your welcome, you go home. So, Mr. President, it is time that you go home! Furthermore, you do not have stunning history. Let democracy do its job; there is no place for totalitarianism here.

RESIDU Posted 2008-03-03

Putin is out and Bouteflika is here to stay. Long live Arab democracy...

Walid Posted 2008-03-05

In response to Merzak: I am Algerian and I know the names of my grandparents five generations back. I did not insult the elderly!!! You can go read my passage. But, for your part, you made some insults. No biggie, apparently. We must act this way towards our Moroccan neighbours; they gave us this freedom to express our points of opinions and we thank them for it. On the other hand, there are Algerians who are firmly opposed to what is happening in our country. Open your eyes, my brother: you are a poor person living in a rich country. And, I swear to you that I have an uncle Chahide and my father was imprisoned as "nationalist member” of Mesali Hajj. And, that this name has been banned in official history should tell you something, my poor Mersak.

Merzak Posted 2008-03-06

Sir, I think you need some bifocals! I have not insulted anyone! I think, if we go by the pitiful character of all of these individuals (to whom you belong), that I was even exaggeratedly moderate. They denigrate their country and their president without the least amount scruples and without the slightest reservation, the honour and the dignity of being a citizen should impose upon them! The president is one of the symbols of the state, and we owe him profound respect! A president can always be displeasing, but we must respect the symbol. If your president displeases you for “X” reason, you have the right to express it through universal suffrage—that is: voting—and then accept the popular verdict. If you feel that the framework in question is flawed because of this or that, then this means that we cannot do better, or, in other words, there are still some steps to take. Now, there are exceptional men, able to make a difference against all odds. These are men of men, having the certain charisma it takes to climb to the greater summits. But these people are very intelligent and they respect each other. They certainly did not use foreign resources as a means to their ends. In contrast, the individuals who do not hesitate to ally with the Devil in order to strike out against their country are obviously themselves devils!... and thus traitors! It is a simple equation! As for the “poor”, you represent them superbly with your moral and intellectual disregard of yours, as evidenced by you having copied and pasted what has elsewhere been read! If you are truly a son of heroes—as you claim and, moreover, which I doubt very much—then you are a renegade. And if you had lived through the war in Algeria, you have obviously chosen the collaborators’ camp.

walid Posted 2008-03-10

In Response to Merzek: How can the term "bastards" be judged as anything but an insult? I did not say that I am the son of heroes, only that I am a citizen who loves his country. Our country’s future should not be tied to a man who diverted a colossal sum when he was Minister of Foreign Affairs, a man who sold a license for mobile phone servicing to his brother, Said, and the Egyptian company Orascom for a sum of $600 million and then some days ago resold it to the Lafarge group for 8.8 billion euros, a man who releases baby-killers with a *gift*. And, even if I do “cut and paste”, I deserve to be able to do this; at least I go search for real information and analyse it. After all the harm the FLN has done to the families of the collaborators (meaning: slitting their throats), I am ashamed of my country and those who participated both near and far in propagating injustice, corruption, kidnapping and prostitution. May God forgive you.

Anonymous Posted 2008-03-14

The problem doesn’t lie in a third or fourth mandate. The president doesn’t have Solomon's ring. It is a matter of social awareness with the necessity of serious and impartial work for the martyrs of the mission. We should take into consideration that the time of petrol is fading so it is important to quicken the pace of true positive work (namely the infrastructure) when time is out, Solomon’s ring won’t save us and we will regret wasting time, our sons will insult us, history isn’t compassionate and God's will is our judge.

وطني Posted 2008-03-20

Don’t forget that you are humans and are mortal. Why do you worship a person full of mistakes and who had separated all the Algerians: eastern, western, Amazigh and Arab alike?

خليل84 Posted 2008-03-27

Authority in Algeria, unfortunately, wants a democracy according to its criteria. How do we justify the insistence of the alliance of hypocrisy and support to the candidacy of Bouteflika to a third mandate while men and women died for pluralism. The first two mandates were all fanciful scenarios and nothing has changed. Why don’t we offer an opportunity to young people to rule and Bouteflika shouldn’t be eternal, eternity is for God. We shouldn’t be cowards because the future of the country and generations isn’t in the hands of Bouteflika. Offer an opportunity to Said Saadi and he will restore democracy to its path because his principle is clear and authority does the impossible to distort the image of the public and the people are stagnated because the present the regime has killed in them the love for the nation and the practice of its political rights.

nono Posted 2008-04-27

Personally, I would like someone to explain one thing to me: what dignity are the Algerians talking about? Either the meaning of this word has changed or the Algerians are living light-years away from reality.

Benaouda Posted 2008-05-02

Algeria’s changes must come from Allah alone because Bouteflika, the RCD, the FFS, Hamas, FIS, Nadia, Louisa Hanoune and so on are all the same. Louisa Hanoune does not want to oppose a third mandate because she herself is securing a third term for the ANP. Said Saadi calls himself a democrat and never stops defending women’s freedom, but we have never seen his wife in public. Boudjera Soltani is funny to the point that we do not know if he is Islamist, socialist or Trotskyist. Ouyahia truly has no personality, because he knows that if he opposes the courts they will open cases against him like they did with Paradou in Hydra. Sidi Said, who looks like a bear, is this country's greatest disaster. We need a change!

Jeune-soldat d'ANP Posted 2008-05-05

Said; I was with the FIS, but then I abandoned these people. These people are scared. In Algeria, it is only the army that exists and functions well. That is why I became a soldier in the ANP. Long live Algeria! The sons of Algeria will always remain upright. 43 young Algerians from my school who were in the FIS became soldiers in the ANP. Praise be to God, our country and the Algerian army are popular. We are the sons of the population.

SAID Posted 2008-05-07

I hope you keep up the good work! Keep it up! It is clear that you are still young and you are not yet in the know.

djamazz Posted 2008-05-24

Attention Everyone in Algeria: No law in our country stipulates a minimum level of participation to validate the ballot. Therein, you are lost once again, sir. Thus, there is a parliament and it cannot get any more legitimate than it is in determining its representation. You know our saying: "whoever counts his own might fail". Take another look at a fair analysis; everything is not well, but it is not the end of the world either.

آمال Posted 2008-06-11

In spite of everything that is happening, I support a third mandate but it should be limited to Bouteflika because stability can complete the current projects and we also don’t see anyone better than him on the scene. We are tired of the transitional phases. Moreover, we don’t have the political and democratic maturity to build the city of Platon which only exists in the ancient books of philosophy. Only one rule is good for us.

lewat Posted 2008-06-29

Bouteflika, Chadli, Belkhadem and so on all belong to the Oujda clan— a clan of Arab, Baathist who never took to battle against the French colonists since they were living in Morocco from 54 to 62. Rather, they were armed and supported by Morocco and, more so, by the puppet Nasser from Egypt so as to liquidate the true combatants inside the country and take power in order to sell Algeria off to the foreign governments. This clan from Oujda has been in power since 1962 and has always benefited the generals who are kept in power thanks to the military experience they acquired whil in the service of their masters, the colonisers. The generals and the clan from Oujda have always had the agreement to sack Algeria, and if they remain in power, Algeria risks disappearing. Meanwhile, Morocco is taking advantage of the chaos that has matter-of-factly resurfaced to reign supreme in Algeria m under Bouteflika, who is supported by the Algerian integrationists and the support of France, the USA and all of the Arab countries without exception. It is thus necessary to say “No!” to Bouteflika’s third term in order to avoid this catastrophe. We need to choose a government that is founded in the diversity of all Algerians for our national union so that we can rein in the Oujda clan and its generals, put Algeria back on track, give the Algerian people back their rights and confidence, stop the pillaging of the country’s wealth and get things moving forward everywhere. We need to beware of the Arab countries everywhere that are pulling Algeria down. Algeria is not the property of the Oujda clan and the generals. Long live Algeria, free and independent! We are able to stand on par with the European countries because the Algerians have brain power and, unlike the Oujda clan that governs this country, are qualified to meet their ambitions.

Dziri58 Posted 2008-06-30

People who oppose a third term have either a short memory or are simply immature. You only have to go back a few years to the nineties to realise what an achievement has this Great Man Bouteflika done for Algeria and its people. Back then, Algeria was deep to its neck in debts and fear and insecurity were outside every door step. Everyone was scared of his own shadow and no one would dare venture out after dusk. Algerians were praying God for peace and security. And now that Allah The Almighty has answered their prayers and send them a Saviour, they decided to be ungrateful like the Jews who turned against Moses (PBUH) after he saved them from Faraoh. Bouteflika is not power hungry nor does he need a third term for the sake of staying in power, but there is some unfinished business in Algeria to deal with the enemies of the country and the wolves, vultures and opportunists who wait in the shadows to profit from uncertain times and they are the ones calling for his head right now, followed by some imbeciles like the ones who write on this column. Right now the coffers are full to the brim, $150 billion and Algeria is debt free for the first time since Independance. Massive investments in housing, road network, dams, water dessalination plants, airports, ports, transport, hydrocarbons and mining infrastructures, schools, universities, hospitals and the list goes on... are all attributed to our President may god preserve him for longer as he has a lot more to achieve yet. Furthermore, he is not imposing himself by force for a third term. As the Supreme Magistrate in the country, he is within his right to call for an amendement to the constitution which is not a holly book nor a bible. It is there to be updated and upgraded to suit modern times. (Continued next)

Gahrtoute Posted 2008-07-01

I do not think that all the Algerians—especially today’s young people—are able. Look at the Tunisians and Moroccans; they work and do not go running their mouths a lot. Algeria is contaminated from the North to the South and from the East to the West with the germ of laziness. So, stop annoying us with the Islamist ideology of these lazy people. Ever since 1962, Algeria has been a trash heap. No one has taken a broom into his own hands. Only lazy people live in Algeria.

Salaheddne Posted 2008-08-06

I love our president because, first of all, he is nice and he knows how to speak French and Arabic and, also, because he takes a firm stance and he has a good personality. You cannot deny the evidence that he is the first president after Boumedienne who has managed to understand things.

ouatis Posted 2008-08-26

We must refuse to tinker with the constitution because it is dangerous for our democracy. The people who want to modify the constitution are irresponsible and are often the well-to-dos of Algerian society. Two terms is already too much, so why give a third one when we know that Bouteflika’s days are already numbered given his illness? We need a competent president who is able to attract foreign and, more importantly, domestic investors who have lost trust in the country. The constitution does not remedy this emergency, rather we should resolve the challenge of unemployment and eradicate its scourge as well as that of corruption and poverty, not to mention terrorism. This is the reality that the Algerian political class of the new generation faces.

farid Posted 2008-08-29

Instead of trying at all costs to violate the constitution and in order for us to eliminate unemployment, we need to first of all stop the haemorrhage that is the diversion of petrodollars to Europe and Switzerland. Renegotiate all the contracts with the European oil and gas multinationals because this is most especially catastrophic for the Algerian economy. Algeria’s wealth is being sold off, exmaple: in 2007 the price of crude fluctuated between 70 and 80 dollars, while we sold it to France for only $22, not mentioning the long-term 2008 contract for gas, wherein France is even more advantaged (same rate as the 1980s). The reign of Boutesriqa has been a nightmare for Algeria, and that is the reality of it. Boutesriqa want to bring in foreign investors, yet he himself and his ministers are investing in Europe and the USA. Algeria exports in dollars and imports in euros—this is an economic deluge. I think that these arguments should get the Algerians thinking about avoiding a third term for Boutesriqa.

ABDALLAH ( HAMMBHOURG) ALLEMAGNE. Posted 2008-09-26

Abelaziz Boutelfika is the only one who can lead Algerian diplomacy; otherwise, maybe Abdelaziz Belkhadem. He is also a great man. He was once in Boumedienne’s administration. I am in favour of a third term for our president. Long live Algeria. Long live the wilaya of Constantine, district 25! Algeria will always have my love and the love of the Algerians living in Germany!

fa Posted 2008-10-11

What I have noticed on this forum is that we Algerians can’t catch a break from our Moroccan brothers. It is the same thing on all the Moroccan forums. As a Frenchman, I can only conclude one thing: this is their jealousy for a country that was occupied for over 132 years, something that forged its people into a proud people who fought valiantly and who remain a historical figure throughout the Arab world and beyond. Therefore, I rather advise our Moroccan brothers to go mind their own country, where they are renting out their girls for 30 euros a night and where fathers give their daughters to perverted, arrogant tourists. In Algeria we have something that you Moroccans lack: our leaders and people have PRIDE, or what is also known as NIF! But, fortunately there are still some— very few, but some— Moroccans who have preserved some of the image Morocco is promoting. As for Bouteflika, he is the only man able to improve Algeria. Thanks to God, we have zero debt, reserves that are quite secure, gargantuan construction programmes and so on. So, long live Algeria! Long live Bouteflika! And, forward with the third term! -Salam to the umma

mami Posted 2008-11-01

In Algeria, it is not a problem of a third or even sixth term, but the entire system itself. I am against a third term for Bouteflika, and I was the same for his first and second term too. He has not done anything for our young people. Our entire industrial sector is down. He privatised all of our countries goods. Even Sonatrach was almost sold off. Our agricultural sector is not producing anything; we import everything. And, this is not to mention the scandal of the century with the Khalifa affair. All democratic activity has been prohibited. And, I am still shocked by the pseudo-nationalists who are in favour of a fifth term.

titou2m Posted 2008-11-13

Hello- I am against a third term and against any principle that would have all of the members of parliament assembled for big televised speeches written on a prompters to tell us that the constitution needs to be modified when it was never applied in the first place. And, all this is just to have an article changed. Is this democracy? No, I am sorry, it is not. They say that the Algerian people are more modern than the constitution that is governing them. I find this absurd. If we take into consideration the American people— and no one says that they are more advanced than them, their democracy and their economy— their constitution dates back 200 years. As for us, any time a party wants to help itself out, it changes it. And this is all the more so when we see that just a few months ago, while all public functionaries are scraping for crumbs, they got a pay increase of about 150 dinars are month. I have a great deal of respect for the president, but the day that he announced his partial modification of the constitution, I knew that another lobby had taken over the country. It is as if 10 years have gone by and only the names have changed. I am ashamed to talk about democracy; only here and in some other Arab countries do things like this happen. Where are we headed?

ohid Posted 2008-12-15

Bravo to the Arabs of Algeria, you revolutionary people! Jealous of their cousins in the Gulf, who founded oil monarchies, and in the West, who founded hashish monarchies, they are creating their own gas monarchy with King Abdelaziz I. There will no longer be any jealous Arabs, because they will all be kissing the hands of their respective kings. The advantage the Arabs of Algeria have is that they will be getting down even lower than the other Arabs in order to kiss the hand of Abdelaziz I, descendent of nobody, because of his height. Abdelaziz I is the smallest Arab king, but Algeria’s gas puts him at the forefront, giving him ideas of creating an Arab Monarchic Union.