25.01.12 Algeria Focus January issue: Table of contents

POLICY FOCUS

• Towards a free and fair election in May? An Islamist victory? EU observers to visit next month; FIS resorts to international justice

POLITICS & SECURITY

• History repeats itself: a January of protest; In the wake of last year's protests, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his government insisted that local officials would be forced to establish a better rapport with their constituents
• New counter-terrorism head has dark past: He has been replaced by General Athmane Tartag alias Bachir
• Ilizi wali kidnapped by terrorist group: The kidnappers were detained 150km inside Libya

GEOPOLITICS

• Algerian observer quits Syrian mission: Human Rights Watch has issued a release saying that the Syrian regime has done nothing to honour the peace deal
• US voices further support for reforms, urges regional co-operation
• Bouteflika marks the Tunisian revolution
• A military base in southern Algeria?
• Algeria funds development in Sahel: The aid will be used to pay for 20 schools

ENERGY INDUSTRY

• Court falters in Funkwerk-Sonatrach case: The rise and fall of Contel
• Sonatrach foreign investment scandal reopened
• Rome gives green light to Galsi: The main opposition to the project comes from Sardinia
• Sonelgaz to make smart meters: He is creating a network of scientific co-operation with Algerian universities
• Germany lobbies for more renewables cooperation
• Yousfi clarifies energy policies to APN: The government is in the middle of targeting which articles to change; Report on refinery construction imminent
• Priority for national pipeline constructors

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

• ArcelorMittal's Algerian plant faces possible bankruptcy: Prime Minister Ouyahia suggested that ArcelorMittal was deliberately threatening to file
• State settles for 51 per cent of Djezzy: 3G launch before 5th July.