Sarkozy, in Algeria, calls French colonialism 'profoundly unjust'

VKMHVM2 · 12-11-2007, 09:38 AM

Sarkozy, in Algeria, calls French colonialism 'profoundly unjust'
The Associated Press
Published: December 3, 2007

ALGIERS: The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, said Monday that France's colonial system was "profoundly unjust," in a step toward ending decades of rancor between France and Algeria, once the crown jewel among French colonies.

"Yes, the colonial system was profoundly unjust, contrary to the three founding words of our republic: liberty, equality, fraternity," he said at the start of a three-day state visit to Algeria.

The visit comes with tensions running high. France has refused for years to apologize for brutality during the colonial era. And an Algerian government minister said that Sarkozy won the presidential elections last spring because he was backed by a "Jewish lobby."

Sarkozy responded Monday with an appeal for both France and Algeria to fight "all forms of racism."

"There is nothing that more closely resembles anti-Semitism than Islamophobia," he said. "Both have the same face: that of stupidness and hate."

Sarkozy spoke during a meeting of French and Algerian business leaders.

Addressing the colonial era and the brutal eight-year war of independence, he went part way toward satisfying the longtime demand of Algeria and its current president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, for France to apologize for its actions as the colonial ruler. But Sarkozy declined to have France assume full responsibility for the brutality of the war.

"Terrible crimes were committed throughout an independence war that left numberless victims on both sides," Sarkozy said. Today, he said, "it is all of the victims that I wish to honor." He added that, despite the colonialism, "it is also just to say that inside this profoundly unjust system there were many men and women who profoundly loved Algeria, before being forced to leave."

In Algiers, portraits of Sarkozy and Bouteflika lined the main avenues of the city, in contrast to the cool political climate. The two leaders planned to sign a partnership treaty, and Sarkozy hoped to sign €5 billion, or $7.3 billion, in contracts, including energy. Algeria has abundant natural gas.

The trip was Sarkozy's first full state visit to Algeria since he was elected in May, though he made a brief working visit in July. He was accompanied this time by 150 business leaders and eight ministers.

VKMHVM2 · 12-11-2007, 09:42 AM

France desperately wants to get back in on African resources, including Algeria's HUGE deposits of natural gas and crude.

VKMHVM2 · 12-11-2007, 12:29 PM

Bad news for the French.

Russia, Algeria In $7 Billion Arms Deal Talks

Moscow, Russia (AHN) - The governments of Russia and Algeria are currently in tight negotiations for a possible $7 billion arms deal. The deal if pushed through would make Algeria the largest buyer of Russian weapons.

According to a report by the Algerian LaTribune newspaper, the country has entered into negotiations with Russia as part of the government's efforts to modernize its armed forces.

Algeria is particularly interested in buying Russia-made Soukhoi Su-32 and Mig 29 fighter-bombers, T-90 tanks and Pantsir air defense systems.

VKMHVM2 · 12-11-2007, 04:30 PM

Imagine my shock. This coming right after that Algerian government minister made that comment.

Car bombs kill at least 22 in Algerian capital

No one claimed responsibility for the near-simultaneous explosions in Algiers -- one in front of the Constitutional Council, the second near a U.N. compound. But the timing and targets suggest they were carried out by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, one of the region's most proficient terrorist organizations, according to security experts and Algeria's Interior Ministry.

12-11-2007, 09:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
VKMHVM2 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,613 My Mood: Thanks: 57 Thanked 47 Times in 36 Posts	Sarkozy, in Algeria, calls French colonialism 'profoundly unjust' Sarkozy, in Algeria, calls French colonialism 'profoundly unjust' The Associated Press Published: December 3, 2007 ALGIERS: The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, said Monday that France's colonial system was "profoundly unjust," in a step toward ending decades of rancor between France and Algeria, once the crown jewel among French colonies. "Yes, the colonial system was profoundly unjust, contrary to the three founding words of our republic: liberty, equality, fraternity," he said at the start of a three-day state visit to Algeria. The visit comes with tensions running high. France has refused for years to apologize for brutality during the colonial era. And an Algerian government minister said that Sarkozy won the presidential elections last spring because he was backed by a "Jewish lobby." Sarkozy responded Monday with an appeal for both France and Algeria to fight "all forms of racism." "There is nothing that more closely resembles anti-Semitism than Islamophobia," he said. "Both have the same face: that of stupidness and hate." Sarkozy spoke during a meeting of French and Algerian business leaders. Addressing the colonial era and the brutal eight-year war of independence, he went part way toward satisfying the longtime demand of Algeria and its current president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, for France to apologize for its actions as the colonial ruler. But Sarkozy declined to have France assume full responsibility for the brutality of the war. "Terrible crimes were committed throughout an independence war that left numberless victims on both sides," Sarkozy said. Today, he said, "it is all of the victims that I wish to honor." He added that, despite the colonialism, "it is also just to say that inside this profoundly unjust system there were many men and women who profoundly loved Algeria, before being forced to leave." In Algiers, portraits of Sarkozy and Bouteflika lined the main avenues of the city, in contrast to the cool political climate. The two leaders planned to sign a partnership treaty, and Sarkozy hoped to sign €5 billion, or $7.3 billion, in contracts, including energy. Algeria has abundant natural gas. The trip was Sarkozy's first full state visit to Algeria since he was elected in May, though he made a brief working visit in July. He was accompanied this time by 150 business leaders and eight ministers. __________________ It's All Here! Dr. Albert Pastore: An Independent Investigation of 9-11 and the War on Terrorism
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12-11-2007, 09:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
VKMHVM2 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,613 My Mood: Thanks: 57 Thanked 47 Times in 36 Posts	France desperately wants to get back in on African resources, including Algeria's HUGE deposits of natural gas and crude. __________________ It's All Here! Dr. Albert Pastore: An Independent Investigation of 9-11 and the War on Terrorism Last edited by VKMHVM2; 12-11-2007 at 09:53 AM.
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12-11-2007, 12:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
VKMHVM2 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,613 My Mood: Thanks: 57 Thanked 47 Times in 36 Posts	Bad news for the French. Russia, Algeria In $7 Billion Arms Deal Talks Moscow, Russia (AHN) - The governments of Russia and Algeria are currently in tight negotiations for a possible $7 billion arms deal. The deal if pushed through would make Algeria the largest buyer of Russian weapons. According to a report by the Algerian LaTribune newspaper, the country has entered into negotiations with Russia as part of the government's efforts to modernize its armed forces. Algeria is particularly interested in buying Russia-made Soukhoi Su-32 and Mig 29 fighter-bombers, T-90 tanks and Pantsir air defense systems. __________________ It's All Here! Dr. Albert Pastore: An Independent Investigation of 9-11 and the War on Terrorism
	Top

12-11-2007, 04:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
VKMHVM2 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,613 My Mood: Thanks: 57 Thanked 47 Times in 36 Posts	Imagine my shock. This coming right after that Algerian government minister made that comment. Car bombs kill at least 22 in Algerian capital No one claimed responsibility for the near-simultaneous explosions in Algiers -- one in front of the Constitutional Council, the second near a U.N. compound. But the timing and targets suggest they were carried out by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, one of the region's most proficient terrorist organizations, according to security experts and Algeria's Interior Ministry. __________________ It's All Here! Dr. Albert Pastore: An Independent Investigation of 9-11 and the War on Terrorism
	Top

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