In 1996, the National Council for Transition (Conseil national de transition), the appointed legislative assembly, adopted legislation on comprehensive Arabization in all sectors of activity in Algeria (Le Monde diplomatique Feb. 1997). Section 11 of the ordinance adopted by the Algerian authorities provides that: [translation] "(1) communications and correspondence in all administrations, businesses and associations, whatever their nature, shall be in Arabic; (2) however, in communications with correspondents abroad, administrations and associations shall follow the established usage in international practice." It is furthermore stated in section 18 that: [translation] "all statements, speeches, conferences and television programs shall be in the Arabic language" (Algeria 1996). The adoption of this ordinance has, however, angered the Berber population in Kabylia (The Economist 11 July 1998).

In a 21 June 2000 interview with the Research Directorate, the chargé des affaires consulaires of the Embassy of Algeria in Ottawa emphasized that since President Bouteflika took office in April 1999, the Arabization legislation is no longer enforced the way it used to be. Communications in various state organizations are in French as well as in Arabic at the present time, at the discretion of the organizations. Similarly, the various documents intended for use abroad can be written in one language or the other.

An article published in Le Monde diplomatique in September 1999 draws attention to a number of significant gestures made by the Algerian president since he acceded to power, in particular at the Organization of African Unity (OAU) summit held in Algiers in July 2000. On this occasion, Bouteflika gave his speech in French, thus contravening the legislative provisions on Arabization. An article in the El Watan newspaper, reprinted in the magazine Le français dans le monde, describes the climate that reigns in Algeria with respect to Arabization as follows:

[Translation]

The application of the legislation on Arabization in the real world is progressing slowly. Faced with this situation, public authorities are showing a great deal of flexibility and turning a blind eye to contraventions. On Algerian television and in public meetings, the use of French is always omnipresent when officials and citizens speak. Even ministers do not shy away from speaking French on television. In fact, they do it today with considerable assurance, encouraged by Bouteflika's example, which opened the gates. Signboards, traffic signs, and street names that were entirely in Arabic are now again written in both Arabic and French. Little by little, the French language is regaining the ground it had lost (Nov.-Dec. 1999).

Furthermore, it should be noted that according to Le Matin of 17 April 2000, the Society for Peace Movement (Mouvement de la société pour la paix-MSP), an Islamic party and member of the Government coalition lead by Nahnah, has criticized President Bouteflika for having, in its view, abandoned the Arabization policy.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Algeria. 21 June 2000. Chargé des affaires consulaires, Embassy of Algeria, Ottawa. Telephone interview.

_____. 1996. Ordonnance no 96-30 du 21 décembre 1996. http://www.ciral.ulaval.ca/alx/amlxmonde/afrique/algerie_loi-96.htm [Accessed 21 June 2000]

The Economist [London]. 11 July 1998. "Algeria: Identity Crisis." (NEXIS)

Le Matin [Algiers]. 17 April 2000. Djamel B. "Les alliés de Bouteflika partagés sur le programme du Président: la coalition de déchire." http://lematin-dz.com [Accessed 17 April 2000]

Le Monde diplomatique [Paris]. September 2000. Akram Ellyas and Hatem Hamani. "De la guerre civile à la réconciliation? Espoirs et incertitudes en Algérie." http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr [Accessed 1 Sept. 1999]

_____. February 1997. Gilbert Grandguillaume. "Le Maghreb confronté à l'islamisme. Arabisation et démagogie en Algérie." http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr [Accessed 21 June 2000]
El Watan [Algiers]. November-December 1999 "Algérie: retrouvailles en français." http://www.fdm.hachette-livre.fr/FDM7.1/doss/algerie.html [Accessed 21 June 2000] (

Le français dans le monde)