Algeria Working Group

Under the chairmanship of Ambassador Robert Pelletreau, former Assistant Secretary of State of Near East Affairs, the Algeria Working Group has embarked upon a dual policy of raising the profile of Algeria in the U.S. Government and raising the profile of Algeria with other American companies.

On two different occasions, the Working Group hosted Mr. James Harmon, the Chairman of the U.S. Export-Import Bank who turned to the Working Group before his mid-December trip to Algeria and briefed the group on his return. The Working Group also regularly arranges teleconferences with the U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, Cameron Hume. The Algeria Policy Working Group is presently working to expand the involvement of other business sectors. The group hosted Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for a reception and private dinner in New York in September 1999.

Past Speakers and attendees have included:

• H.E. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President, The Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
• James Harmon, Chairman, The Export-Import Bank
• The Hon. Yousif Youssfi, Foreign Minister, The Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
• Adelkrim Harchaoui, Minister of Finance, The Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
• Abdelmajid Attar, Former CEO of Sonatrach
• The Hon. Cameron R. Hume, US Ambassador to Algeria
• The Hon. Idriss Jazairy, Algerian Ambassador to the U.S.
• Kirk Robertson, Executive Vice President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation
• Molly Williamson, Deputy Asst.. Sec. for North Africa & Middle East, Department of Commerce