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Advanced systems boost Algeria in campaign against insurgents

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, February 25, 2005

CAIRO — Advanced systems from Western contractors has aided Algeria's military campaign against Islamic insurgents.

Algerian sources said the military and security forces have been enhanced by deliveries of advanced non-lethal equipment from Western suppliers, Middle East Newsline reported. The sources said the equipment has come from such countries as Britain, France, Spain and the United States.

"The equipment has enabled us to track terrorists at all times and weather," an Algerian source said. "This has helped the military and security forces in searches in wooded and mountainous areas."

The sources said the equipment included mobile reconnaissance systems, night-vision goggles, laser designator sights for a range of weapons and signal intelligence gathering systems. They said Western countries have trained Algerian soldiers to operate these systems in 2004.

Western suppliers have also sold Algeria homeland security systems without direct military application. They included security systems that monitor airports and other vital facilities.

The equipment arrived from the United States and European Union members in wake of Algeria's presidential elections in April 2004. Western governments regarded those elections as fair and a major test of the government's commitment to democracy.

On Jan. 24, Algerian police commander Brig. Gen. Ali Tunissi said his force has obtained what he termed technical and scientific assets to track insurgents. Tunissi, in an interview with the government daily Al Mujahed, did not elaborate.

Tunissi said that in 2004 100 people, whom he termed terrorists, surrendered to authorities. He said only several operatives remain at large and predicted their capture.

The police commander said the remaining insurgents come from the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call, which in February stepped up attacks against Algerian security forces. He said the insurgents have been plagued by low morale prompted by the death of their colleagues in clashes with Algeria's police and military.

In all, 4,000 insurgents have been killed by Algerian forces, Tunissi said. The commander has called on the government to increase the police force from 120,000 to 180,000 officers by 2007.

Algerian President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika said 150,000 people have been killed in the war against Islamic insurgents. Bouteflika has called for an amnesty to end the 12-year-old conflict.

"The number of victims has reached 150,000 and the destruction has reached $40 billion," Bouteflika said on Feb. 23. "Algerian people need to be able to accept a general amnesty. I need your support."


Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.

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