Algeria–United States relations

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Algeria – United States relations
Map indicating locations of Algeria and USA

Algeria
United States
Diplomatic mission
Algerian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
United States Embassy, Algiers
Envoy
Mohammed Haneche[1]Elizabeth Moore Aubin

In July 2001, President

counter-terrorism cooperation, have intensified.[3] Algeria publicly condemned the terrorist attacks on the United States and has been strongly supportive of the Global War on Terrorism.[3] The United States and Algeria consult closely on key international and regional issues.[3] The pace and scope of senior-level visits has accelerated.[3]

History

See also: Barbary Wars

Precolonial Period

The European maritime powers paid the tribute demanded by the rulers of the pirate states of North Africa (Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli) to prevent attacks on their cargo by privateers. No longer covered by English tribute payments after the American Revolution, US merchant ships were seized and sailors enslaved in the years following independence. In 1794, the US Congress allocated funds for the construction of warships to counter the threat of piracy in the Mediterranean. Despite the naval preparations, the United States concluded a treaty with the dey of Algiers in 1797, guaranteeing the payment of tribute amounting to US$10 million over a period of twelve years in exchange for a promise that Algerian privateers would not disturb the US fleets. Ransom and tribute payments to pirate states amounted to 20 per cent of the US government's annual revenues in 1804.

On 5 September 1795, when the two countries signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States and the Regency of Algiers,[4] a few years after the Regency's official recognition of the independence of the young American republic (1783), Algeria was among the first countries to recognise the independence of the United States.

Being desirous of establishing and cultivating Peace and Harmony between our Nation and the Dey, Regency, and People of Algiers, I have appointed David Humphreys, one of our distinguished Citizens, a Commissioner Plenipotentiary, giving him full Power to negotiate and conclude a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with you. And I pray you to give full credit to whatever shall be delivered to you on the part of the United States, by him, and particularly when he shall assure you of our sincere desire to be in Peace and Friendship with you, and your People. And I pray God to give you Health and Happiness. Done at Philadelphia this Twenty first day of March 1793, and in the seventeenth Year of the Independence of these United States.
— George Washington, Philadelphia, 21 March 1793[5]

Colonial Period

The

Barbary States, the Turkish Muslim states Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli.[6] Commodore Stephen Decatur was dispatched with a squadron of ten warships to ensure the safety of United States shipping in the Mediterranean and to force an end to the payment of tribute.[6] After capturing several corsairs and their crews, Decatur sailed into the harbor of Algiers, threatened the city with his guns, and concluded a favorable treaty in which the dey agreed to discontinue demands for tribute, pay reparations for damage to United States property, release United States prisoners without ransom, and prohibit further interference with United States trade by Algerian corsairs.[6] No sooner had Decatur set off for Tunis to enforce a similar agreement than the dey repudiated the treaty.[6] The next year, an Anglo-Dutch fleet, commanded by British admiral Viscount Exmouth, delivered a nine-hour bombardment of Algiers.[6] The attack immobilized many of the dey's corsairs and obtained from him a second treaty that reaffirmed the conditions imposed by Decatur.[6] In addition, the dey agreed to end the practice of enslaving Christians.[6]

The Eisenhower administration gave military equipment to France during the

Algerian War of Independence.[7] However, France did not trust U.S. intentions in the Maghreb area, especially since the U.S. had friendly relations with Morocco and Tunisia after the two countries had won their independence.[7] The United States tried to balance the situation with Algeria without alienating France. The FLN tried to appeal to America to support its independence.[7]

Present day

Post-independence

Algeria and the United States have a complicated relationship that has improved politically and economically. When John F. Kennedy was still a senator, he spoke in support of Algerian independence to The New York Times on July 2, 1957.

El Paso and Algerian Sonatrach signed an 25 years long agreement on export of 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas starting from 1974.[11] President Nixon was able to reestablish relations and President Boumédiène visited the United States on April 11, 1974.[12]

During the Iranian hostage crisis, Algeria mediated negotiation between the United States and Iran.[13] The Algiers Declarations was signed on January 19, 1981.[14] Iran released 52 American hostages on January 20, 1981.[15]

9/11

George W. Bush and Abdelaziz Bouteflika in the Oval Office on November 5, 2001

After the

World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Algeria was one of the first countries to offer its support to the US and continued to play a key role in the struggle against terrorism. It has been working since then closely with the United States to eliminate transnational terrorism. The United States made Algeria a "pivotal state" in the war on terror.[16] One of the major agreements between the two countries allowed the U.S. to use an airfield in Southern Algeria to deploy surveillance aircraft.[16] After this, the U.S. has been more neutral on Algerian government political and civil rights violations.[16] Algeria persists in leading the battle against terrorism in Africa.[17]

Mid-2000s–present

Donald H. Rumsfeld and Bouteflika listen to a reporter's question during a press availability on the steps of the Presidential Palace in Algiers, on Feb. 12, 2006.

In August 2005, then-Chairman of the

prisoners of war held by the Polisario Front in Algeria.[18][3] Their release removed a longstanding bilateral obstacle between Algeria and Morocco.[3]

In April 2006, then-Foreign Minister Mohammed Bedjaoui met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.[19][3]

As of 2007, the official U.S. presence was Algeria is expanding following over a decade of limited staffing, reflecting the general improvement in the security environment.[3] Between 2004 and 2007, the U.S. Embassy moved toward more normal operations and as of 2007 provided most embassy services to the American and Algerian communities.[3]

Hillary Clinton shakes hands with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Algiers, October 2012.

President Bouteflika welcomed President Barack Obama's election and said he would be glad to work with him to further cooperation between the two countries.

Government of the United States, entering into force on November 1, 2009, pursuant to which the maximum validity for several categories of visas granted to Algerian citizens coming to the United States was extended to 24 months. A mutual legal assistance treaty and a Customs Cooperation Agreement will also be signed soon.[21]

Bouteflika with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Algiers, in 2014

On 20 January 2013, the

In Aménas hostage crisis.[22]

Algeria has stated that it is dedicated to sustaining its good relations with the U.S. in July 2016.[23]

In 2020, the United States recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara in exchange for Moroccan normalization of relations with Israel. Algeria said the U.S. decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara "has no legal effect because it contradicts U.N. resolutions, especially U.N. Security Council resolutions on Western Sahara".[24]

In February 2024, President Joe Biden appointed Joshua Harris, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for North African Affairs, as the new U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, replacing Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin, who had held the position since February 9, 2022, according to a press release issued on the official White House website.[25]

Algerian leaders' visits to the United States

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel in January 2019

Algerian leaders have visited the United States a total of seven times. The first visit took place on October 14–15, 1962 when Prime Minister Ben Bella stopped by Washington D.C.[2] President Boumediene privately visited Washington and met with Nixon on April 11, 1974.[2] President Chedli Bendjedid came for a State Visit from April 16–22, 1985.[2] President Abdelaziz Bouteflika visited July 11–14, 2001, November 5, 2001, and June 9–10, 2004.[2] Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal attended the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit on August 5–6, 2016.[2] In December 2022, former Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane attended the 2022 U.S - Africa summit.

Trade

Remarks of Senator John F. Kennedy on the Senate Floor in Reply to Criticism on his Call for Freedom for Algeria

In 2006, U.S. direct investment in Algeria totaled $5.3 billion, mostly in the petroleum sector, which U.S. companies dominate.[3] American companies are active in the banking and finance sectors, as well as in services, pharmaceuticals, medical facilities, telecommunications, aviation, seawater desalination, energy production, and information technology.[3] Algeria is the United States' 3rd-largest market in the Middle East/North African region.[3] U.S. exports to Algeria totaled $1.2 billion in 2005, an increase of more than 50% since 2003.[3] U.S. imports from Algeria grew from $4.7 billion in 2002 to $10.8 billion in 2005, primarily in oil and liquefied natural gas.[3] In March 2004, President Bush designated Algeria a beneficiary country for duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences.[3]

In July 2001, the United States and Algeria signed a

free-trade agreement.[3] The two governments meet on a regular basis in order to discuss trade and investment policies and opportunities, as well as to enhance their economic relationship.[3] Within the framework of the U.S.-North African Economic Partnership, the United States provided about $1 million in technical assistance to Algeria in 2003.[3] This program supported and encouraged Algeria's economic reform program and included support for World Trade Organization accession negotiations, debt management, and improving the investment climate.[3] In 2003, the U.S.-North African Economic Partnership programs were rolled over into Middle East Partnership Initiative activities, which provide funding for political and economic development programs in Algeria.[3]

Military

Ahmed Ben Bella's visit to the White House on 15 October, 1962

As of 2007, cooperation between the

U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ship visits.[3] The United States has a modest International Military Education and Training Program ($824,000 in FY 2006) for training Algerian military personnel in the United States, and Algeria participates in the Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Partnership.[3]

The Secretary of State hosted a Strategic Dialogue with the Algerian Foreign Minister in April 2015.[26] Additionally, the Deputy Secretary of State paid a visit to Algeria in July 2016.[26]

Education and culture

A picture showing an Algerian immigrant at Ellis Island, ca. 1909

The first U.S.A and Algerian collaboration in the education field started in 1959 when the Institute of International Education cooperated with the National Student Association in 1959 to bring Algerian students to study in our universities.[

English as a second language courses at the Ben Aknoune Training Center.[3] In 2006, Algeria was again the recipient of a grant under the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, which provided $106,110 to restore the El Pacha Mosque in Oran.[3] Algeria also received an $80,000 grant to fund microscholarships to design and implement an American English-language program for Algerian high school students in four major cities.[3]

Initial funding through the Middle East Partnership Initiative has been allocated to support the work of Algeria's developing civil society through programming that provides training to journalists, businesspersons, legislators, Internet regulators, and the heads of leading nongovernmental organizations.

U.S. Department of State's Human Rights and Democracy Fund will assist civil society groups focusing on the issues of the disappeared, and Islam and democracy.[3]

Algerian embassy in Washington D.C., United States

Embassies

The U.S. Embassy in Algeria is at 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi,

Washington D.C.

See also

References

  1. ^ Ait Seddik, Baha eddine (August 21, 2022). "Agrément à la nomination du nouvel ambassadeur d'Algérie auprès des Etats Unis d'Amérique". Algeria Press Service (in French).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Algeria – Visits by Foreign Leaders – Department History – Office of the Historian". history.state.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  3. ^
    U.S. Department of State. October 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link
    )
  4. ^ "Avalon Project - The Barbary Treaties 1786-1816 - Treaty of Peace and Amity, Signed at Algiers September 5, 1795". avalon.law.yale.edu. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  5. ^ "Founders Online: From George Washington to the Dey of Algiers, 21 March 1793". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  6. ^
    OCLC 44230753. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link
    )
  7. ^
    JSTOR 4283699
    .
  8. ISBN 978-1-107-00290-6
    .
  9. ^ "Statement on Algerian independence, 3 July 1962 – John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum". www.jfklibrary.org. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  10. ^ a b "John F. Kennedy: Remarks of Welcome to Prime Minister Ben Bella of Algeria on the South Lawn at the White House". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  11. ^ Milutin Tomanović, ed. (1972). Hronika međunarodnih događaja 1971 [The Chronicle of International Events in 1971] (in Serbo-Croatian). Belgrade: Institute of International Politics and Economics. p. 2551.
  12. ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved 2017-03-22.
  13. ^ "Crisis-Managing U.S.-Iran Relations". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 2017-03-25. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  14. ^ Christopher, Warren; Most, Richard (2007). "The Iranian Hostage Crisis and the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal: Implications for International Dispute Resolution and Diplomacy". Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal. 7: 10.
  15. ^ Network, The Learning (20 January 2012). "Jan. 20, 1981 | Iran Releases American Hostages as Reagan Takes Office". The Learning Network. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  16. ^
    ISBN 978-0-595-45197-5
    .
  17. S2CID 153891638
    .
  18. ^ "Moroccan POWs ask help punishing captors". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2017-07-21.
  19. ^ "Photo: Secretary Rice With Algerian Foreign Minister Mohamed Bedjaoui". 2001-2009.state.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  20. ^ "Algerian president congratulates Obama after re-election – China.org.cn". china.org.cn. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  21. ^ Embassy of Algeria to the United States of America Archived 2018-01-22 at the Wayback Machine.Tuesday May 25. 2010 (accessed May 26, 2010), by Abdallah Baali
  22. ^ "US warns Americans of travel risks in Algeria". Fox News. 20 January 2013.
  23. ^ LLC, Ask For Media. "Embassy of Algerie in the United-States of America | Algerian Consular Affairs, Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Algeria Us relations". www.algerianembassy.org. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  24. ^ "Algeria rejects Trump's stance on Western Sahara". Reuters. December 12, 2020.
  25. ^ The White House (2024-02-29). "President Biden Announces Key Nominees". The White House. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  26. ^ a b "Algeria". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2017-03-24.

Further reading

  • Berhail, Wafa, and Fatima Maameri. "The role of Algeria in the Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981." (2017). Online
  • Christelow, Allan. Algerians without Borders: The Making of a Global Frontier Society (U Press of Florida, 2012).
  • Farhi, Abderraouf, and Billel Fillali. "The Economic and political interplay in the American Algerian relations in the 1960 and 1970." (2016) online
  • Ghettas, Mohammed Lakhdar. Algeria and the Cold War: International Relations and the Struggle for Autonomy (Bloomsbury, 2017).
  • Miller, Olivia. "Algerian Americans." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America, edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 1, Gale, 2014), pp. 87–96. online
  • Papadopoulou, Nikoletta. "The narrative’s ‘general truth’: Authenticity and the mediation of violence in Barbary captivity narratives." European Journal of American Culture 36.3 (2017): 209–223.

External links

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