SIXTEEN DAYS after the killing of Algerian President Mohammed Boudial, the leaders of the islamic Salvation Front (FIS) were sentenced to 12 years prison by a military court. In be tween these events Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Gozali resigned. None of this has brought Algeria any closer to stability.
in his six months in office Boudiaf failed to resolve any of Algeria's problems. Retrieved from his long Moroccan exile, more than figurehead for the corrupt FLN regime.
Unknown
Despite his reputation as a leader of the national liberation struggle, he was totally the overwhelming majority of pendence. Among the unemployed youth - the main base of support for the FIS - he had no support.
His attempt to tackle corruption was quickly halted by senior FLN figures, primarily in the army. The military remains the main power base to allow various generals and ex-President Chadli Benjedid to be accused of helping themselves from the state coffers.
To maintain his rule Boudiaf resorted increasingly Thousands were interned were accused of acting as Frenchagents. Even those who supported the 11 January coup (which deprived the FIS of electoral victory) were attacked.
On the economic level Boudiaf had no more success. With repayment of foreign debt using up over 80% of GNP he had no choice but to obey the IMFs diktats. Despite massive devaluation and a 300 asic foods, the IMF was still Poverty The state-owned oil industry was being privatised and opened up to! oreign capital. Agricultural cooperatives vere to be broken up and sold poverty of the masses increased rapidly.
The FIS grew rapidly after unemployed youth launched a series of protests in 1988. But the repression under Boudiaf has taken its toll Though it is able to carry out some quernlla achons - using volunteers with experience from Afghanistan - it is unable to take advantage of the regime's crisis. ts public demonstrations have been pitifully small. Its apparatus has been effectively dismantled.
Lenient
the FLN regime doesn't feel in a position to step up the repression. The 12 year sentences for FIS leaders Abbas Madani and Ali Belhaj were relatively lenient.
They could have been sentenced to death - but the regime was clearly worried about the possible reaction.
The weakness of the FLN, the FIs and other opposition groups means that instability will continue. None of these forces is in a position to win a decisive victorv. The Mir will use this political stalemate to tep up the pressure The Algerian working clas has begun to respond to the massive increase in unemployThere has been some particularly by teachers. But so far this remain The General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) isdiscredited and collaborates with policies. The only way out of the impasse is if the struggles can develop a national leaderprepared to oppose the IMFs demands and those who are implementing them.
National Rally 75 years of the Russian revolution (United Secretariat of the Fourth International)
Kingsway College off Grays Inn Road, London WC1 Friday October 23, 7.30pm No. 26 July/Aug, 1992
By Paul Clarke International News