PANEL OF EMINENT PERSONALITIES CONCLUDES VISIT TO ALGERIA
Press Release
SG/2046
PANEL OF EMINENT PERSONALITIES CONCLUDES VISIT TO ALGERIA
19980812 The following press communiqué was issued by the Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General:On Sunday, 2 August, the Panel of Eminent Personalities established by the Secretary-General of the United Nations at the request of the Government of Algeria concluded its series of meetings. On Monday, 3 August, the Panel met with the President of the Republic, and departed for Lisbon on Tuesday, 4 August.
During its stay of nearly two weeks in Algeria, the Panel has met with a cross-section of Government personalities, political leaders and representatives of civil society, the media and religious institutions. The Panel has listened to a range of views and submissions and it is grateful for the cooperation it has received from all concerned. A list of persons with whom the Panel met, and places it visited, is appended.
The Panel is particularly appreciative to the Government and people of Algeria for the cordiality of their welcome. The Panel extends its very best wishes to the Algerian people.
In conducting its business, the Panel decided on its programme as the visit progressed, and contacted persons and organizations it wished to see through its own staff. During its visit the Panel arranged for staff to receive and respond to telephone calls, faxes and letters members of the public wished to submit to it.
The next stage of the Panel's work will be to discuss its report for submission to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
List of people with Whom Panel Met and Places It Visited in Algeria, 11 July - 4 August
Wednesday 22 July
Arrival; reception at airport by Foreign Minister Organizational meeting with Foreign Minister at Hotel Sofitel Meeting with Foreign Minister at Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thursday 23 July
Meeting with Prime Minister Meeting with Minister of Justice Meeting with Minister of the Interior
Friday 24 July
Meetings with: Mr. Kheireddine Ameyer, Editor of La Tribune Maître Miloud Brahimi, Honorary President of the Ligue algérienne des droits de l'homme Ms. Dalilah Taleb, M.P., Association Nationale Rassemblement action jeunesse Maïtre Ali Yahia Abdel Nour, Président de la Ligue pour la défense des droits de l'homme Saïd Bouaqba, Editor of Ach-Chourouq
Saturday 25 July
Meeting with Ms. Louisa Hanoune, Parti des travailleurs Meeting at the Ministry of Defence
Sunday 26 July
Meetings with: Mr. Saïd Saadi, Rassemblement pour la culture et la democratie Mr. Ahmed Djeddai, Secretary-General of the Front des Forces Socialistes Mr. Redha Malek, former Prime Minister, Alliance Nationale Républicaine M. A. Outoudert, Editor, Liberté Ms. Salima Al Ghezali, Editor, La Nation Maïtre Moustapha Bouchachi, practising lawyer and university lecturer
Monday 27 July
Visit to Serkadji prison Meeting with the Procureur General Meeting with prisoners Visit to site of massacre at Benimessous Meeting with survivors of, and neighbours of victims of massacre
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Tuesday 28 July
Meeting with Foreign Minister Meeting with Minister of Finance Meeting with Mr. Tahar Benbaïbeche, Rassemblement National Démocratique
Wednesday 29 July
Visit to Parliament: Meeting with the President of the National Assembly Meeting with the President of the National Council (Second Chamber) Meeting with the President of the High Islamic Council and the Bishop of Oran Meeting with Mr. Rezza Barra, President of the Observatoire National des droits de l'homme
Thursday 30 July
Visit to site of massacre in Tlemcen Meeting with survivors and families of victims of massacre Meeting with the Wali of Tlemcen Visit to the city of Oran Discussion with the Wali of Oran
Friday 31 July
Visit to the Wilaya of Tizi-Ouzou Meeting with elected officials of the Wilaya of Tizi-Ouzou Visit to the city of Bejaïa Meeting with the Wali of Bejaïa Meeting with the Foreign Minister
Saturday 1 August
Meeting with Maïtre Mohamed Tahri, practising lawyer Meeting with Mrs. Leïla Aslaoui, former Minister Meeting with families of disappeared persons Meeting with survivors and relatives of victims of massacres
Sunday 2 August
Meeting with Mrs. Khalida Messaoudi Meeting with Mr. Boudiaf Ahmed Reda, President of the National Bar Association
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Meeting with Mrs. Saïda Benhabyles, Spokesperson for the National Alliance of Women's Associations, and a group of representatives of women's organizations Meeting with the President of the General Confederation of Algerian Economic Operators Meeting with Mr. Mahfoud Nahnah, President of the Mouvement de la société pour la paix
Monday 3 August
Meeting with the President of the Republic Visit to Ghardaia
Tuesday 4 August
Depart from Algeria
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