Algerian Supports Peace Effort, Argues for Palestinians’ Rights

Algerian President Chadli Bendjedid promised Friday to cooperate with the United States in searching for Mideast peace but said there will never be a permanent solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict unless Palestinians obtain “the right of self-determination.”

“There is an American point of view, and there is an Algerian point of view,” Bendjedid said. “One can’t say that there is agreement on a specific proposal, but we believe we have established a dialogue that can help us find an answer.”

He spoke to a small group of reporters shortly before he left Washington for a weekend visit to California, where he plans to shop for agricultural technology suitable to Algeria’s dry Mediterranean climate.

Possible Link to Syria

A senior U.S. official said earlier that the United States expects Algeria to play a helpful role in the Mideast peace process, although he conceded that the two countries are far apart on methods. The official added that Algeria, which has for years maintained close relations with Syria, might be able to help bring the Damascus government to the negotiating table.

Bendjedid emphasized Algeria’s support for the Palestinians, but he distanced himself somewhat from embattled Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat, who is facing a strong challenge from Syrian-backed PLO factions.

“We believe in the Palestinian cause, whether Arafat is there or someone else,” he said. “We support the Palestinian people, not individuals.”

However, Bendjedid said Algeria is prepared to support a joint peace proposal by Arafat and Jordan’s King Hussein if it produces any results, although he stopped short of endorsing it in advance.

Algerian to Come Here

Bendjedid plans to visit Los Angeles, San Francisco and Fresno before returning home Monday. He said agriculture holds top priority in Algeria’s current five-year program.

“We do have fertile lands in Algeria, but we need technology from outside,” he went on. “I believe that our visit to California will help us with the transfer of technology.”

He said farming methods in California could probably be adapted to Algeria because the climates are similar.

The senior American official said the United States is prepared to sell farming technology to Algeria to help reduce the balance-of-payments deficit that results from substantial U.S. purchases of Algerian petroleum. The United States is Algeria’s biggest customer for crude oil and petroleum products.

Bendjedid, who is on the first U.S. visit by an Algerian president, has indicated that his government hopes to improve relations with Washington, in the process lessening its reliance on the Soviet Union.

“Algeria believes in nonalignment,” he said. “If Algerians are jealous about anything, we are jealous about independence.”

Bendjedid hailed President Reagan’s decision last week to authorize Algeria to buy U.S. weapons but said Algeria has not yet made any formal arms requests. His army is equipped largely with Soviet-made weapons and wants to diversify its sources of supply.