In the wake of several recent massacres, where entire villages have beenwiped out by oneor the other of the combating forces, Amnesty International and other humanrights groups this week condemned what they called the wall of silence onthe war’s atrocities.

The five-year-old conflict erupted when Algerian authorities — who havebeen ruling the oil-rich country since a successfully anti-colonialstruggle against French colonists in the early 1960s — canceled a generalelection in which Islamic fundamentalists had taken a commanding lead. TheIslamists responded by launching a fierce armed struggle against theAlgerian government, including many secular leaders and intellectuals. Butamong the war’s primary victims has been women and children.

But first we’re going to speak with Daniel Singer, the Europeancorrespondent for The Nation magazine about recent developments in Francethat are connected to Algeria. His most recent article is in this week’s_Nation_ called, “France on Trial”, about the prosecution of 87-year-oldMaurice Papon, the highest-ranking official of the pro-Nazi Vichy regime tostand trial for crimes against humanity.

Guests:

• Daniel Singer, the European correspondent for The Nation magazine. His most recent article is in this week’s Nation called, “France on Trial”, about the prosecution of 87-year-old Maurice Papon, the highest-ranking official of the pro-Nazi Vichy regime to stand trial for crimes against humanity.
• Dilip Hiro, a journalist and author, most recently, of the??Dictionary of the Middle East. He contributes frequently to Inter PressService (IPS) Third World News Agency.
• Zazi Sadou, an Algerian journalist and women’s rights activist, sheis the founder and spokesperson for the Algerian Assembly of DemocraticWomen (RAFD).

Related links:

• The Nation
• Amnesty International

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