Sir, - Algerians living in Ireland report their distress not alone at their tortuous wait for a decision regarding their status, but also at how their religious beliefs as expressed in Islam are constantly linked to "terrorism' or to so-called "fundamentalism'.
While it is true that the most horrific crimes are linked to the "Algerian Armed Islamic Group" (GIA) it is widely believed, as Lara Marlowe reported (June 9th) that the "GIA is infiltrated by Algerian military intelligence" and is used by the Intelligence services to discredit the main Islamic political opposition. Indeed, your editorial on Algeria six months ago (January 8th) correctly anticipated the conclusions of the Le Monde investigation into the murders of the seven monks when it stated: "There are persistent reports that the Government itself is responsible for at least some of the massacres - in an attempt to blacken the name of its Islamic opponents".
Just before the World Cup began there was a concerted European police action against Algerians living outside Algeria, on the pretext that they were planning to disrupt the World Cup. The French police action showed its naked prejudice by naming its action as Operation Crusader. This action was, no doubt, to pacify the Algerian authorities, who have consistently demanded of European governments, including our own (cf. Minister Andrews`s address to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, December 17th 1997) to dismantle "the networks for the terrorists in some member states." Indeed, one of the conclusions of the European Parliament delegation's visit was an ominous one." We could give signs to the Algerian Authorities without that involving the abolition of the right of asylum, (February 17th).
After the recent fiasco at the UN Commission of Human Rights, it is quite obvious that the Algerian authorities have powerful allies in the corridors of our EU partners, who not alone block any initiative to bring peace and justice to Algeria but help to reinforce prejudice against Islam and Algerians. - Yours, etc., Brendan Butler,
Ireland-Algeria Solidarity Group,
Upper Camden St., Dublin 2.