Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVII, Part 3, North Africa

71. Letter From President Carter to Algerian President Bendjedid¹

Washington, February 9, 1979

Dear Mr. President:

I wish to extend to you my best wishes upon your inauguration as President of Algeria. The United States attaches great importance to its relations with Algeria, which plays a significant role in world affairs. I look forward to continuing growth in the relations between our two countries.

In recent years there has been a mutually beneficial expansion of economic relations between our two nations in energy and other fields. American technology, financing, and commercial ties can continue to offer positive benefits for Algeria’s development. We are particularly pleased to have so many young Algerians in our universities. Their presence enriches the educational experiences of our own students, and the knowledge and skills they acquire here will help enable them to contribute to the development and progress of their own country.

As you know, Mr. President, we have enjoyed a useful exchange of views with senior officials of the Algerian Government, including your predecessor. I regret that President Boumediene was unable to make a state visit to the United States in response to my invitation to him.² I would like to extend the same invitation to you and hope it will prove possible for you to visit Washington at a mutually convenient time.³

We look forward to the continuation of our dialogue with your Government, confident that your Government’s policies, as ours, seek to promote peace with justice in a world which is becoming increasingly interdependent.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 2, Algeria: 1979–1980. No classification marking. A handwritten notation at the top of the letter indicates it was hand-carried to the Department of State on February 8.
2. See Document 64.
3. In telegram 56849 to Algiers, March 8, the Department transmitted the text of Bendjedid’s February 15 reply, in which he expressed a desire to meet with Carter. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790106–0965) Due to scheduling conflicts, no meeting between Bendjedid and Carter took place.