KHENCHELA- Relations between Algeria and France are conditioned by the question of memory, said Friday in Khenchela (east of Algiers), Minister of Mujahideen (National Liberation War veterans) Tayeb Zitouni.
“France must assume its responsibilities towards Algeria and the pending issues between the two countries have to be addressed,” the minister told the Algerian Radio from Khenchela, on the sidelines of his visit to the eastern province, which is hosting the official festivities commemorating the National Day of Shaheed (Liberation War martyr), observed every 18 February.
Zitouni said that a “sincere willingness” of France was necessary to start serious work between the two countries and resolve once for all the pending issues
The minister underlined that the “nuclear tests in Algerian Sahara were a proof of the atrocity of the crimes committed by colonial France in Algeria,” adding that a national seminar on those tests, he attended recently in Illizi, showed the “numerous crimes perpetrated by the French colonial forces against the Algerian people.”
Zitouni also recalled the heroism of the Algerian people throughout their history, and the peace and stability achieved thanks to Algerians, men and women, and to the units of the People’s National Army.
Tayeb Zitouni started his visit to Khenchela from Ali Souaghi Culture Centre, where he attended the screening of a documentary on the exhumation of the remains of the shuhada (Liberation War martyrs) of the Cave of Djemri in the commune of Ensigha, as well as an operetta highlighting the major chapters of Algeria’s history.
The minister also honoured mujahideen and members of the families of shuhada of the region.
Source: Our relations with France conditioned by question of memory
