The North Africa Journal: French-Algerian Relations: The Weight of History 

French-Algerian Relations: The Weight of History
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Dr. Yahia Zoubir on 24 December, 2011 10:12:00
 
Under President Jacques Chirac’s presidency, it seemed that the two countries 
were heading toward a historic treaty of friendship in 2005. Unfortunately as is
 often the case, a deceitful incident, concocted in Paris by forces opposed to 
lasting reconciliation between the two countries, derailed that process. 
Following a promising start under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy, relations 
quickly went from bad to worse, at least until the last couple of months which 
seem to have augured yet another hopeful development in relations, as is 
customary: through economic relations. What are the main obstacles in 
Franco-Algerian relations? Can they be overcome? What are the reasons for the 
current seeming rejuvenation of those relations? It is extremely difficult to 
write a short essay on the so-complex Algerian-French relations. Therefore, I 
will review some of the most salient factors which have impeded better ties 
between these two Mediterranean countries whose fate is bound by inescapable 
historical, political, economic, cultural, and human dimensions. Continue here |
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