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WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The Bush administration plans to expand military ties to Algeria.
U.S. officials said they hope to accelerate and expand sales of military equipment to the North African state as well as training and visits over the next year. They said the State Department and the Defense Department have been discussing the issue with the regime of President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika.
The U.S. military sales will depend on Algeria's commitment to human rights, officials said. They said an improvement in Algeria's human rights record would prompt the sale of lethal combat systems to Algeria.
"I will work to expand relations, keeping in mind that progress in our bilateral relationship, including on the military side, should both reflect and encourage Algeria's own efforts to implement significant reforms," Richard Erdman, nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to Algeria, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday.
http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2003/may/05_22_3.html
U.S. officials said they hope to accelerate and expand sales of military equipment to the North African state as well as training and visits over the next year. They said the State Department and the Defense Department have been discussing the issue with the regime of President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika.
The U.S. military sales will depend on Algeria's commitment to human rights, officials said. They said an improvement in Algeria's human rights record would prompt the sale of lethal combat systems to Algeria.
"I will work to expand relations, keeping in mind that progress in our bilateral relationship, including on the military side, should both reflect and encourage Algeria's own efforts to implement significant reforms," Richard Erdman, nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to Algeria, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday.
http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2003/may/05_22_3.html