U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin Reflects on Tenure in Algeria, Tackles Ongoing War Against Palestine, “Morocco’s Autonomy Plan” for Western Sahara
✏️ By: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | July 19th, 2024 — In an exclusive interview with La Patrie News, U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin, who has been stationed in Algeria since February 2022, shared her reflections on her tenure and the evolving diplomatic landscape.
La Patrie News: Ambassador Aubin, having been stationed in Algiers since February 2022, you have represented the United States during a particularly tense period internationally. How would you describe your impact on U.S.-Algerian relations during this time?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: I believe my tenure has significantly elevated U.S.-Algerian relations to a new level. Since arriving in February 2022, my team and I have not only maintained but enhanced our bilateral relations. We have deepened and broadened our engagement through sustained leadership commitment and the strengthening of economic partnerships. Additionally, our support for Algerians’ interest in learning English and the establishment of various programs have been pivotal. Our ongoing discussions on regional and global events have allowed us to collaborate effectively on addressing the world’s challenges.
This has led to more profound and lasting relationships with both American and Algerian leaders, exemplified by exchanges such as the meeting between Presidents Biden and Tebboune at the G7 Summit in Bari—marking the first such meeting since 2006.
Interview Conducted by Tarek Hafid- La Patrie News
La Patrie News: Ambassador Aubin, as your tenure as the U.S. Ambassador to Algeria approaches its end, do you believe you have successfully worked towards maintaining and enhancing the relations between the two countries?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: While I wouldn’t say it is ending imminently, there will indeed be a conclusion to my mission. Throughout my tenure, I haven’t merely aimed to maintain good relations; rather, my team and I have significantly elevated them to a new level. Our bilateral relationship has deepened and broadened due to the sustained commitment of both our leaderships and the economic partnerships we have built and strengthened. Additionally, our efforts to support Algerians in learning English and implementing various programs have played a crucial role. All of this, combined with our ongoing discussions on regional and global events, has enabled us to work together to tackle global challenges effectively.
We have succeeded in forging more profound and enduring relationships. We have established lasting connections with the leadership of both nations, reflected in the exchanges between Americans visiting here and Algerians traveling to the U.S. Notably, the meetings between Presidents Biden and Tebboune at the G7 Summit in Bari represent the first direct encounter between our leaders since 2006, with the last having been between Abdelaziz Bouteflika and George Bush.
La Patrie News: This period has indeed been marked by tensions between the two countries following President Donald Trump’s recognition of Western Sahara as part of Morocco. How has this stance been affected by the Biden administration?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: It is true that my tenure has been influenced by this situation. I arrived in Algeria in February 2022, and President Trump made this proclamation in 2020. President Biden has not altered this proclamation because it is a historical fact. However, the Biden administration has chosen a different path by supporting the leadership of the United Nations, including the Secretary-General and his personal envoy for Western Sahara, in seeking a sustainable solution for the Sahrawi people.
We are committed to ensuring that the UN Secretary-General and the team led by Staffan de Mistura find a durable resolution that meets the expectations of the Sahrawi people, which has been our focus for the past three and a half years.
La Patrie News: The United States does indeed support the UN Secretary-General, his personal envoy, and the framework for resolving this conflict. However, the U.S. opposes organizing a self-determination referendum. What, in your view, would be the solution to this conflict?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: We seek a solution that meets the needs of the Sahrawi people. It is crucial to find a resolution that moves us beyond the current state of stagnation. We believe that the best entity to achieve this is the United Nations, under the leadership of the personal envoy.
Since 2008, the U.S. position has remained consistent, considering the Moroccan autonomy plan as a viable solution. We have not changed our perspective on this issue for nearly two decades, and that has been our stance. Ultimately, however, any resolution must be within the framework of the United Nations.
La Patrie News: For Morocco to grant this autonomy, the Western Sahara would need to be considered as part of Moroccan territory…
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: That’s why there is a personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General working on this issue. It is evident that this is a challenging problem to resolve. It has persisted for 49 years and remains unresolved. We acknowledge that it is a difficult issue. As you know, we have been working under the auspices of the UN for a long time, with several special envoys from the Secretary-General. We will continue to support this framework to find a resolution to this complex problem.
La Patrie News: Your term concludes amid the ongoing massacres endured by the Palestinian population in Gaza. Has this context caused a misunderstanding from the Algerian authorities regarding the U.S. position, which supports Israel politically and militarily?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: There have been several consultations between the United States and Algeria on this issue. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf have met five times on this matter over the past year. We continue to discuss this very difficult issue with our Algerian friends. However, it is crucial not to forget that the situation began with the actions of Hamas on October 7th. It is important to recall how it all started.
With our Algerian counterparts, we agree on three important points: first, an immediate ceasefire must be achieved; second, we should provide all possible aid to the Palestinian people; and third, a two-state solution is essential. Our two countries agree on the necessity of working together. Our goals are not too far apart.
We are actively working on this within the United Nations Security Council and, of course, we support the resolution calling for a ceasefire. The international community is unified in calling for a ceasefire, with the exception of one significant actor, Hamas. It is important to emphasize this. The United States seeks an immediate ceasefire that provides a pathway to peace, addressing Israel’s security needs while offering dignity and a future for the people of Gaza. All this aims towards achieving a two-state solution.
La Patrie News: Is it the American perspective on the conflict that views the situation as having started on October 7th, rather than in the 1940s?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: No, the conflict has been ongoing for decades, but the recent fighting in Gaza began on October 7th.
La Patrie News: There have been several bombings of Gaza in the past. This includes the current opposition to a ceasefire agreement. Palestinians say that the Israeli side, led by the Prime Minister, is refusing to agree to a ceasefire. The situation, as you noted, is very complex. Ultimately, does the solution depend on Washington, meaning the involvement of President Biden—or perhaps in the future, President Trump—to pressure the Israeli government?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: American officials have been working on resolving this issue for a long time, both before and after October 7th. The effort for a two-state solution has been ongoing for decades. We have been working very closely with partners like Egypt and Qatar to achieve a ceasefire that is accepted by everyone except Hamas. We are not isolated in this endeavor; we are collaborating with our partners, allies, and friends to find a resolution. We are engaging with all relevant parties, including Algeria. Algeria has made significant efforts to unite the Palestinian factions, and President Tebboune has been actively involved in this matter.
La Patrie News: Has the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel led to an increase in tensions in the region?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: I do not see the relationship between Morocco and Israel as having caused tensions in North Africa. I do not view it as an immediate consequence. There are many issues that contribute to tensions on the continent, and I do not believe that Israel needs to be one of them.
La Patrie News: Algerians are not at all pleased with Israel’s entry into the region through Morocco. Could this potentially cause tensions?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: Algeria is a sovereign country and has the right to make its own decisions regarding its neighborhood. However, I do not view Israel as a threat to Algeria.
La Patrie News: Yet, an Israeli minister had threatened Algeria from Morocco, citing its proximity to Iran. Was this just a comment or a threat?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: I don’t see it as a threat against Algeria, its existence, territorial integrity, or sovereignty. It’s important to distinguish between diplomatic comments and actual threats.
La Patrie News: The United States has granted Morocco authorization to acquire military equipment, including Javelin missiles and HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems. In the event of armed conflict, would Washington accept that these weapons be used against Algeria?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: The United States maintains friendly relations with both Algeria and Morocco. We hope that one day Algeria and Morocco will become friends. The United States has no intention of causing conflict between the two countries.
La Patrie News: Some diplomatic circles report that the United States attempted to mediate the crisis between Algeria and Morocco. When did this initiative occur, and why did it not succeed?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: American officials have been engaging with officials from both countries. It is challenging to have strained relations with one’s neighbor. What we want is for Algerians and Moroccans to sit down and discuss their shared interests and connections, considering there are families on both sides, and to work towards finding a resolution.
La Patrie News: Could the role of the U.S. Ambassador to Algeria become more complex for your successor if Donald Trump is re-elected?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: I am not certain when I will leave Algeria, as the process, as defined by the U.S. Constitution, requires Senate confirmation. What I can tell you is that U.S.-Algerian relations are important, and I will remain here until there is a proper succession. This underscores the significance we place on the relationship between the U.S. and Algeria. Regardless of who is the U.S. President, ambassadors play a crucial role, and the work of embassies and diplomats is vital in strengthening bilateral relations. I have the best team on the planet at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers, and they are dedicated to enhancing and expanding the relations between the United States and Algeria.
La Patrie News: Sonatrach recently signed memoranda of understanding with ExxonMobil and Chevron. Although these agreements are significant, they have been barely covered in the press, especially since ExxonMobil was supposed to establish a presence in 2019 but had decided to freeze their decision at the onset of the Hirak movement. What concrete advantages will these supermajors bring to Algeria?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: Whether it is ExxonMobil, Chevron, or any other American company, I believe they offer the best international solutions for all economies. They contribute through technology transfer, hiring local personnel—many of whom are Algerian—and creating genuine partnerships from which both parties benefit. I work daily to build true partnerships between our two countries. The arrival of ExxonMobil and Chevron, along with other companies like Occidental Petroleum, is very positive as it brings new opportunities for both our economies. There are over a hundred American companies operating in Algeria, and according to the IMF, the United States is the largest direct investor in the country. I am committed to working to further enhance these opportunities.
La Patrie News: Your wish to leave Algiers on a direct flight to the United States may not come to fruition. What is the current status of the negotiations for the Open-Sky agreement?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: To establish direct flights between a country and the United States, U.S. law requires the signing of an Open-Sky agreement. Typically, these negotiations take between three to five years, so it is a process that requires time. However, since my arrival here, I have made every effort to expedite the negotiations to achieve a signature as quickly as possible. We are on the right track and very close to reaching what both parties desire. The second phase of negotiations is expected to take place next fall. While I am uncertain whether I will return to the United States on a direct flight, I look forward to reading in the press that this has become a reality.
La Patrie News: Does the American side understand the Algerian perspective that views this agreement as a potential loss of sovereignty?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: No Algerian has expressed this concern to me. I cannot speak on behalf of the Algerian government. However, I would say that the American side is mindful of the Algerian requests. We are working to find the fairest path to achieve this.
La Patrie News: So, is this an open-sky agreement under negotiation?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: All agreements are negotiated. We have a standard framework, but there are negotiations to arrive at a solution that is acceptable to both parties.
La Patrie News: What are the benefits of having direct flights between Algeria and the United States?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: There are both economic and people-to-people benefits. Avoiding a layover in Paris and the lengthy wait at Charles de Gaulle Airport to reach New York is a significant advantage! It would greatly enhance tourism and economic exchanges. A direct flight of just eight hours could have a substantial economic impact.
La Patrie News: During your tenure, has there been an increase in the issuance of visas to the United States?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: Yes, there has been a significant increase in visa applications. More and more Algerians are interested in visiting the United States or traveling there for business purposes. To address this demand, we have increased the number of staff in the consular section and are ensuring that every applicant has the opportunity to interview with a consular officer to determine their eligibility for a visa.
La Patrie News: Do you have any information on the number of visas granted to American nationals by Algerian authorities?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: I recommend asking this question directly to the Algerian authorities. They would have the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding visa issuance for American nationals.
La Patrie News: What will you remember from your time in Algeria?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: I will cherish the kindness, hospitality, generosity, and open-heartedness of the Algerian people I met during my visits to 43 wilayas across the country. There is truly something magical about Algeria. This is the feeling I will carry with me forever.
La Patrie News: What advice would you give to your successor?
Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin: The advice I would give is exactly what I’ve just shared. I would encourage them to go out, meet the Algerian people, explore this vast country, and truly understand who the Algerians are. Our peoples don’t know each other very well. The more opportunities we create for dialogue, for sharing, and for discussions over a chekhchoukha, rechta, or zviti, the stronger the bonds between our two peoples will become. This understanding will lead us to work together for our common good.
Translated by: Dr. Hana Saada from:
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