Rumsfeld says U.S. deepening ties with Algeria
"We look forward to strengthening our military-to-military relationship and our cooperation in counter-terrorism," Rumsfeld said during a joint appearance with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika at the presidential palace in Algiers.
His 5-1/2 hour visit to Algeria was part of a three-day, three-nation tour designed to show U.S. support for moderate North Africa countries amid worries about Islamic extremism. He arrived from Tunisia and was due next in Morocco.
Asked whether the United States would make military cooperation with Algeria contingent on political progress in the country, Rumsfeld declined to answer directly.
"The United States and Algeria have a multi-faceted relationship. It involves political and economic as well as military-to-military cooperation. And we very much value the cooperation we are receiving in counter-terrorism because it's important to both of our countries."
Rumsfeld met Bouteflika for 95 minutes after meeting the prime minister and defence minister.
Bouteflika did not speak during the joint appearance in bright sunshine at the presidential palace, a white Moorish building in a compound dotted with palm and ornamental trees and colourful flowers.
The United States and Algeria, the second biggest country in Africa, began military exchanges last year as Washington sought backing for its campaign against global terrorism.
The United States regards the three countries Rumsfeld is visiting as moderate forces in the region and important allies.
Algeria and neighbouring Morocco have much history and cultural heritage in common but have had tense relations, particularly over Western Sahara.
Morocco, which annexed Western Sahara in 1975 when former colonial power Spain pulled out, fought a guerrilla war with the Polisario Front which is based in southwestern Algeria and is seeking the desert territory's independence.