AS ALGERIA PURSUING A NUCLEar weapons program in the 1980s? Did it abandon that program? Or might it still be developing a capability to make separated plutonium, a nuclear explosive material? We still do not have the answers to these questions. Algeria began allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its nuclear activities in the late 1980s, and it joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1995. But European and Arab governments alike continue to express concern-Algeria's nuclear program seems too extensive for civilian needs. Three years ago, a confidential report by the Spanish intelligence service Cesid concluded that Algeria would soon be in an "advantageous position to restart a military program, if the corresponding political decision is taken." 1 The reason, said Cesid: "The Algerian nuclear program, originally conceived with a clear military purpose, continues to equip itself with the installations necessary to carry out all the activities linked to the complete cycle for obtaining military grade plutonium, a key element in a nuclear arms program." Algerian neighbors Tunisia and Morocco have reportedly been concerned that Algeria will soon be able to produce plutonium. 2 Those countries have struggled successfully to minimize the influence of Islamic extremism in their societies. But the situation in Algeria is different. The civil war appears to have ended, but terrorist attacks continue and the regime has been slow to implement badly needed social and economic reforms, raising questions about the 45 lgeria: BIG DEAL IN THE DESERT?
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