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Algerian terrorism offensive wins praise from President Bush

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, September 18, 2002

CAIRO Ñ Algeria has urged its African neighbors to increase coordination and cooperation on insurgency groups. Algeria has launched an offensive against Islamic insurgency groups such as the Armed Islamic Group and the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call.

On Saturday, U.S. President George Bush relayed a message that thanked Algerian President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika for his effective role in combatting terrorism. Bush relayed deep gratitude to the Algerian president and people for their contribution to the international campaign to eradicate terrorism.

African nations are considering establishing an anti-terrorism center in Algeria, Middle East Newsline reported.

Diplomatic sources said African Union representatives agreed to a series of recommendations in their four-day meeting last week in the Algerian capital of Algiers. One of the recommendations calls for the establishment of a research center on terrorism in Algiers.

The proposal calls for a center that will gather information on groups deemed terrorists as well as prepare reports on trends in the field. The center would also develop programs for international cooperation and training.

The African governments also agreed to discuss legislation to help fight terrorism. The union also called for the protection of witnesses involved in providing information on terrorists and aimed to implement international accords.

Over the weekend, Algeria reported new attacks by Islamic insurgents.

Algerian newspapers said that 14 people were killed in an insurgency attack. They included three soldiers who were killed in a grenade attack near the Moroccan border.

Officials said Algeria has imposed new measures to increase security in Algiers. One measure is to divide the capital into three security zones to ensure more effective response to alerts of an insurgency attack.

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