51 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the situation in Algeria and the outcome of the poll on 16 September 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25518/99]

Although the situation in Algeria remains difficult, there are signs that it is starting to emerge from the years of violence and to make progress towards national reconciliation and reconstruction.

In June, the Islamic Salvation Army – AIS – confirmed that its campaign of violence had ended. The Islamic Salvation Front – FIS – while still outlawed, endorsed this announcement. This renunciation of violence continues despite the murder last week, by opponents of the reconciliation process, of one of the Islamic Salvation Front's leading advocates of dialogue.