ALGIERS, Algeria, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Algerian-U.S. relations are stronger than ever before, boosted by close security and intelligence cooperation in combating international terrorism.
Observers say the political and security "honeymoon" between the two countries was evidenced by a flurry of visits by U.S. Congress teams, at least five in January, during which they held talks with political and security officials and Algerian legislators.
The Algerian state minister and personal representative of President Abdel Aziz Boutefliqa, commenting on the visits to United Press International, said "they reflect the good relations between the two countries and close cooperation and consultations."
Algeria, which was in an undeclared international isolation for the last decade of the last century when it was fighting armed Islamic groups seeking to impose an Islamic regime, has suddenly become a close friend of the United States, observers said.
A parliament source said U.S. congressmen who visited Algeria recently discussed several issues ranging from security coordination between Algiers and Washington in combating terrorism to political and economic reforms being introduced in Algeria.
The source said "the Americans were briefed about the National Reconciliation Pact, which was endorsed by the majority of Algerians at last September's referendum, as well as the reforms carried out by the government."
The reconciliation pact offered armed Islamist groups which were not involved in massacres general amnesty in return for laying down arms and reintegrating into civilian society.
A statement released by the Algerian parliament stressed that political relations with the United States "are very strong at all levels, with the executive as well as legislative authorities."
Observers explain the sudden U.S.-Algerian rapprochement to President Boutefliqa's overtures and his strong support to Washington in combating terrorism following the 9-11 attacks on the United States.
Consequently, President George W. Bush received Boutefliqa four times in an unprecedented development between the two countries which did not maintain normal ties in the past in view of Algeria's anti-U.S. positions over the Middle East conflict.
