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Saint-Gaudens

Algeria's Bouteflika faces threat from military

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, December 6, 2000

CAIRO — Algerian President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika again faces a threat from his powerful military.

Bouteflika is facing opposition from the military to his proposal to change the constitution. The changes are said to limit the military's role in political life.

Reports from Algiers said the military also disagrees with the president over the future of the disputed Western Sahara. Bouteflika has been seeking a U.S.-mediated resolution to the conflict with neighboring Morocco.

The clash appears to be the second time in as many years that Bouteflika has faced off against the powerful military. Bouteflika delayed appointing his Cabinet earlier this year because of the military's insistence that its candidates be given ministerial posts.

In March, Bouteflika then dismissed or transferred dozens of senior military officers.

Algerian newspapers and Arab diplomats said another dispute involves Bouteflika's efforts to make the military accountable for human rights violations. Amnesty International has been pressing to meet Algerian generals to discuss alleged torture and killing of dissidents.

Bouteflika has refused to allow the meeting. But to the consternation of the military the president is willing to discuss the issue.

The dispute comes amid renewed violence in Algeria. Over the weekend, 10 people were massacred in Islamic insurgency attacks.

Wednesday, December 6, 2000


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