ALGERIAN PM BILHADIM SAYS FRANCE SHOULD ACCEPT ITS PAST CRIMES IN ALGERIA
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Nov 15 2006
* Algerians cannot understand why France, championing the genocide
issues in Europe, do not apologize from the Algerians for the genocide
committed by French in Algeria.
* Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem renewed his call on
France to admit to crimes it committed during its colonization of
Algeria, if it wanted full normalization of bilateral relations
* Abdulaziz Bilhadim, the Prime Minister of Algeria criticized France’s
accusing Turkey of Armenian ‘Genocide’. According to Mr. Bilhadim,
France should first face its own history instead of accusing other
countries
Umit YEKPARE (JTW) – Abdulaziz Bilhadim, the Prime Minister of
Algeria, reminded France of their accusations about Turkey regarding
the so-called Armenian ‘genocide’. He said: "you should also face
your own history. You should accept your crimes waged between 1830
and 1962. 1.5 million people died."
Algeria is "ready" to cooperate with France "so that it recognizes
crimes committed against Algerians," Algerian Prime Minister Belkhadem
said. "The Algerian can forgive, but will never forget."
However Nicolas Sarkozy, French Interior Minister, urged the
Algerians to forget their colonial past. "I come as a friend. I
attach much importance to this trip," Sarkozy said on his arrival,
yet he refused to apologize from Algeria fort he French crimes during
the colonial years in Algeria. Sarkozy even accused the Algerians for
"some past mistakes":
"Suffering is not just on one side… There is suffering on both sides,
and each one of us must travel the two sides of the Mediterranean
towards appeasement and towards a common future. We should avoid
words and deeds that harm, and try to understand" he added.
* "First apologize for the colonies"
The Prime Minister of Algeria, reminded of the words of President
Chirac, said: "France should accept its crimes during the colonial
period in order to establish friendly relationships."
Algeria, its colony for years, where more than 1,5 million of people
were killed, is asking France to apologize from Algeria. France
recently accuse Turks of committing genocide during the First World
War against the Armenians. However Turkey says that France is not
sincere in its accusations but abusing the Armenian Issue to prevent
Turkey’s EU membership. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat laciner from USAK
says "if France is sincere in its accusations, it has to accept many
genocides committed by the French in the recent past."
* Sarkozy Does not Want to Speak About the French Past in Africa
French Home Affairs Minister and possibly candidate for the Presidency
in France Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy has been deeply affected when Prime
Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem kept attached to Algeria’s claim
consisting in France recognizance and apology for the colonial era
crimes. Sarkozy, in his latest Algeria visit, argued that France is
not a colonial country right now. The French official told Belkhadem
"our generation has nothing to do with colonialism", noting that "the
colonial system deserves to be incriminated". According to Mr. Sarkozy,
Algeria should forget its colonial history to mend the relations.
The lack of a positive response of any sort from France, delayed
Algerian-French friendship treaty that, was going to come into
existence by the end of 2005. However, Normalization of ties, has
since independence been very gradually, slow. Algeria always hoped
that, France’s apology for the Genocide would be necessary in order
to sign a friendship treaty by the end of the year similar to the
1963 Franco-German reconciliation treaty.