Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXIV, North Africa

167. Telegram From the Embassy in Algeria to the Department of State¹

2285.

Algiers, April 14, 1987, 1653Z

Paris for Legatt. Subject: Visit of Ambassador Bremer.

1. Secret—Entire text.

2. Ambassador L. Paul Bremer (S/CT) visited Algeria April 4–5 to consult with senior GOA officials on anti-terrorism policy and explore areas for expanded U.S.-Algerian cooperation. While here, Amb. Bremer called on Director of Surete Nationale, El Hadi Khediri, and on Military Security Director Gen. Madjdoub Lakehal Ayat. He also had extended discussion with MFA Secretary General Smail Hamdani at dinner hosted by Ambassador.

3. Tone of visit reflected high level GOA desire to see bilateral relationship expand further in area of anti-terrorism cooperation. Khediri and Lakehal Ayat gave their meetings with Bremer a warm, cooperative aura. Khediri emphasized his past cooperation with U.S. law enforcement authorities in dealing with hijackers and he expressed appreciation for data from U.S. sources that have helped Algerian police deter criminal elements. Khediri said that he would like to improve liaison with the FBI and reacted very positively to Amb. Bremer’s suggestion that he visit the FBI in Washington. Khediri also expressed his concern at increasing use of Algeria as a transit route for drug traffickers and expressed wish to cooperate more closely with DEA.

4. In meeting with Lakehal Ayat, current status of hostages in Lebanon was primary topic. No new developments emerged. With Lakehal Ayat (as with Khediri), considerable time was devoted to discussion of terrorism and terrorist groups. Amb. Bremer urged Algerians to be more forthright in their condemnation of terrorist acts, and to cut whatever links they have to Palestinian groups that use terrorism as a tactic. The Algerians condemned terrorism against innocent civilians in incidents such as the Rome and Vienna airports or the Achille Lauro affair but maintained that it was acceptable for Palestinians to use acts of violence “on the territory to be liberated”. In discussing specific Palestinian groups, Algerians clearly regarded Abu Nidal as acting well beyond acceptable limits. Abu Abbas was in a more nebulous category, apparently based on his importance within the PLO leadership and his role in any PLO unity drive (which the GOA is strongly supporting). General Lakehal Ayat described two Abu Nidal supporters living in Algiers as “no more than students”. [less than 1 line not declassified]

5. Comment: As we were making plans for Bremer visit, we touched raw nerve of competition between Lakehal Ayat and Khediri for control of turf in security area. By visit, however, Algerians composed whatever internal differences they had and all went smoothly. Khediri explained to us that he, Lakehal Ayat, and head of the paramilitary gendarmerie meet weekly with Presidential Security Advisor Gen. Greziel Benabbes to review ongoing issues and coordinate actions. Khediri noted existence of several GOA agencies with overlapping mandates, but he said that resulting competitive situation produced better intelligence for the government.

6. Visit provided useful exchange with Algerians on some of the more problematic issues in bilateral relationship. Bremer continued process of laying down markers on terrorism in which we have been engaged over past year. Basis was built for further cooperation with both sides of Algerian internecine intelligence/security apparatus.

Johnstone

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870289–0512. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for Information to Paris.