Algeria

Certain positive changes in Russian-Algerian contacts unfortunately have not persisted. These changes appeared in 1993 after several joint projects were put into operation and the first investment contract was signed for the construction of the Tilezdit dam to be financed by the Japanese Eximbank, and renewed deliveries of spare parts for special technology. The terror campaign against foreigners fomented by Islamic fundamentalists, of which 14 Russian citizens fell victim, forced Russian organisations to terminate their obligations with respect to several facilities, liquidate the construction and assembly base created over many years and conduct full or partial evacuation of their specialists pursuant to a resolution of the Russian government.

Under these conditions, Russian organisations have essentially lost their position in the traditional directions of bilateral cooperation which have dropped to such a level that companies of third countries, backed by their governments and state insurance companies, have completely removed Russian companies from the oil and gas, pipeline transportation and metallurgy where the many-year Soviet and Russian presence was marked by the construction of facilities of nationwide significance.

In 1999, Russian foreign economic agencies still have certain obligations within the framework of those facilities where their participation was ensured by financing out of Soviet state loans, for example, construction of the Zit-Emba dam, carried out by Selkhozpromexport, or financed by the customer using budget allocations or loans from foreign banks.

Algerian graduates from Russian (Soviet) universities. More than 4,000 Algerians received training in Russia. Among them are former and current government members (Arbaui, Slugi, Benbuzid, et al.), parliamentary deputies (Bahbuh, Messahel), leading employees in the presidential administration, foreign ministry, education ministry, economics ministries, local authorities, influential businessmen, and army officers (who received their education in Russia or were taught by Russian [Soviet] professors at local military academies).

Russian and CIS citizens who married Algerians (there are approximately 900 of them) regularly hold meetings. The Association of Russian Women has begun functioning again, which discontinued its activity during the outbreak in terrorism (one of the Association's activists fell victim of the Islamic extremists in 1994).

The Association of Graduates of Russian (Soviet) Universities was registered in 1999 (in past years attempts to form such organisations were not supported by the Algerian authorities). The Association Charter was ratified, and a commission of 13 people was elected, headed by well-known surgeon Makhmud uld Sliman.

A parliamentary Algerian-Russian friendship group has been formed. On the occasion of Defender of the Homeland Day on 24 February 1999, a meeting was held at the Russian ambassador's residence with retired generals, many of whom are deputies and senators. The generals spoke in favour of creating a branch of the Association of Algerian-Russian Friendship under the Society of Veterans of the Algerian Army.

Groups of graduate businessmen may in future form the backbone of the Algerian-Russian Chamber of Commerce, the idea for which was discussed during bilateral business forums in Algeria (May 1998) and Moscow (March 1999).

The Algerian assessment of the results of the Business Forum in Moscow. On 15-19 March 1999, a reciprocal Russian-Algerian business forum was held in Moscow (its first stage was held in Algeria on the initiative of the Russian State Duma in May 1998). The Russian side was represented by the BIN financial-industrial union (chief organiser), as well as Stroiservis, Mosstroi, Mashinoimport, Transgaz, Mars, Sever, Summa, TsMB Ingushetia, Galeriya, Zarubezhneftegazstroi, Ukrmosstroi, Zangaz, Promexport, Vnukovo Airlines and the Alliance Group.

The Algerian delegation was headed by senior deputy minister of small and medium Algerian businesses M. Bendahman and director for international relations of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce D. Auimer. It was made up of 26 companies for the manufacture of construction materials, consumer goods, foodstuffs, medication, perfume, etc. On the Algerian side, employees of the Algerian embassy in Moscow, as well as members of the Association of Algerian Graduates of Russian Universities conducting business in Russia, took part in preparing the forum. The Algerian delegation was received by Russian Minister for Antimonopoly Policy and Business Support G.M. Khodyrev and deputy chairman of the State Duma M.S. Gutseriev.

A practical result of the business forum was the signing of 9 contracts and protocols of intention to deliver semi-finished products and raw material sto Algeria for the manufacture of plastics, transformers and electric motors, industrial glue, etc. The question of creating a joint venture in Algeria for the assembly of tractors from Russia is being considered. The Algerians intend to supply foodstuffs, medication, perfume, stationery and construction materials. An exhibition of Russian projects for modern housing estates was organised for Algerian development companies.

An agreement was reached on founding a joint construction venture in Algeria for the manufacture of construction materials. The BIN financial-industrial union proposed founding a joint bank to finance the construction work. An agreement was also reached on organising a sales exhibition of Russian goods in Algeria to coincide with the sessionof the joint intergovernmental committee. The BIN financial-industrial union and the Algerian Chamber of Industry and Commerce signed an agreement on cooperation, which envisages rendering assistance to and establishing contacts with businessmen, as well as exchanging commercial information.