Photo: U.S. State Department

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Algiers, Algeria,.

Washington, DC — Excerpt from the United States Department of State Daily Press Briefing

QUESTION: Algeria. Just saw you announced the Secretary's trip next week to Algeria. I'm wondering if you could tell us - stating the obvious, perhaps - but if Mali (inaudible) potential intervention is going to be on the agenda. And we're hearing now from various sources in Algiers and Paris that the Algerians are sort of okay with this idea. Have you received any notice from them that they are more open to the idea of an African-led military intervention in Mali?

MS. NULAND: Well, in addition to bilateral issues and general regional issues, Mali is one of the subjects that the Secretary does want to talk to Algerian officials about, as well as the general issue of al-Qaida in the Maghreb. I've seen the press reports today that the Government of Algeria seems to be more open to supporting the ECOWAS force. I think we look forward --

QUESTION: Wait, wait. The Government of Algeria or the Government of Mali?

QUESTION: Algeria.

MS. NULAND: It was the Government of Algeria, actually. And so we look forward to continuing that discussion when we're there on Tuesday.

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