Algeria: hoping for reform, not revolution

I missed parts of Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci’s presentation this morning at CSIS–urgent phone calls kept me out at the beginning and the end.  But the overall tone was clear:  Arab spring in Algeria will bring reform, not revolution.

The minister’s list of planned reforms included:

• the percentage of women in parliament will rise from the current 7% to 30%,
• judges (rather than the government) will run the spring elections,
• there are over 70 newspapers,
• radio and TV will be open to the private sector for investment in 2012,
• there will be increased transparency, economic and political freedom.

He was vague about reforms in the hydrocarbon sector and in the economy more generally.  He also justified the rapid rise of imports as necessary to building infrastructure.

Asked about a possible Islamist victory in the elections, the minister said he was certain the military would respect the election results.  He also noted that in accordance with the 2005 constitution, approved in a referendum, “those responsible Algeria’s tragedy” would not be allowed back into political life.

Big on non-intervention in internal affairs, the minister claimed Algeria is developing good relations with the new authorities in Libya and has improved relations with Morocco.  On Syria, he noted that the Algerian who resigned as an Arab League human rights monitor came from civil society, not the government.  Noting some cooperation from the Syrian government and some arming of the opposition, he thought the Arab League should continue its efforts with a view to a political resolution of the crisis.