VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAS #0161 0521728
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211728Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8470

UNCLAS ALGIERS 000161 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT 
 
ALSO FOR NEA-SCA/EX 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: APER AMGT PHUM AG
SUBJECT: Same-Sex Domestic Partner Accreditation - Algeria 
 
REF: (A) STATE 0788 (B) ALGIERS 0073 
 
 
¶1. Post notes that Algerian law prohibits homosexual relations and 
that the issue is a public taboo, in large part because of the 
strong Muslim prohibition against homosexuality as well as strongly 
conservative social mores.  Discussions with other western embassies 
in Algiers, some of which have had to deal with same-sex partner 
accreditation, have underscored this point.  None has so far raised 
this issue formally with the Algerian MFA.  Our western diplomatic 
colleagues generally contend that formally raising the issue would 
likely force the GOA to respond with a formal "no" or be met with no 
formal response.  One European embassy acknowledged that it 
currently counted a same-sex couple in its community.  The diplomat 
in question is fully accredited; his partner, however, is declared 
to the Algerian MFA only as a domestic servant (in this case a 
"cook") and thus legally resident but without full privileges and 
immunities.  The EU mission has two same-sex couples, one of which 
has obtained full privileges and immunities by claiming the 
non-official partner is a "family member."  This couple, however, is 
under pressure to be discreet and not advertise its true 
relationship in public.  The other EU same-sex couple, however, has 
had more problems after declaring its homosexual nature officially 
to the GOA.  Although allowed into the country the non-official 
partner is required to resubmit his visa for renewal every three 
months at the MFA and enjoys no privileges and immunities. 
 
¶2. Post informally raised the subject initially during a previously 
arranged meeting for a Washington visitor with MFA North America 
Director Abdelmoun'aam Ahriz on January 31.  After noting to Ahriz 
that the Department had informed foreign missions in Washington last 
November of the Department's intention to seek reciprocal 
accreditation to same-sex partners, we asked whether the MFA would 
consider doing the same for same-sex partners posted in Algeria. 
Ahriz had no information on the issue and appeared puzzled by the 
idea.  In a February 21 meeting with MFA Director for Immunities and 
Privileges Serrai Abdelkrim, DCM referred to the earlier 
conversation and, stressing that he was raising the issue 
informally, asked how the GOA would react to a request for 
accreditation of same-sex partners of USG personnel assigned to 
Algiers.  Abdelkrim acknowledged Algeria's legal prohibition of 
homosexuality but would not respond directly to the question. 
Instead, he posed a series of questions of his own, including how 
the same-sex relationship would be indicated in the passport of an 
accompanying partner as well as how U.S. state and federal law 
treated gay partnerships and marriage. 
 
¶3.  We have heard separately from the Canadian embassy that, when 
its ambassador informally asked MFA Protocol February 14 about 
prospects for assigning a same-sex couple to Algiers this summer, he 
was informed that we had made a similar informal inquiry.  After 
reminding the Canadian ambassador that Algerian law prohibits 
homosexual unions, the MFA advised him that it would "reflect" on 
the issue and provide an informal response in due course.  The 
Canadian embassy reported February 18 that the MFA had followed up 
by stating that it would accept to provide full privileges and 
immunities but only if the person in question was declared as a 
"member of family" and not as a "spouse," with the further 
understanding that the couple would not present themselves on 
invitations or in any other public way as a married couple, i.e., as 
the EU mission has accepted to do for one of its diplomats.  The 
Canadian diplomat considering the assignment, however, had already 
decided to withdraw his candidacy based on the earlier noncommittal 
response.  (Note:  We understand the diplomat in question was being 
considered as the next Canadian ambassador to Algiers.  End note) 
 
¶4. Although we have flagged the issue, post believes that pressing 
the MFA to provide a more explicit, official response would be 
counterproductive.  Post agrees with our western colleagues that the 
GOA is unlikely to agree to accredit same-sex partners of U.S. 
diplomats in response to a formal request or on a basis other than 
as "members of family." 
 
PEARCE