Sarkozy in Algérie

Despite being accused of being part of the Jewish lobby by an Algerian government minister several days ago, French President Nicolas Sarkozy embarked on a three day trip to the former French départements. And just like China, the money is flowing:

Sarkozy is accompanied by some 150 French entrepreneurs eager to profit from Algeria's economic recovery following a ten-year civil war in which an estimated 200,000 people were killed.

His delegation also includes eight cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Justice Minister Radhida Dati, who is of Algerian-Moroccan ethnic background.

Contracts worth some 3.4 billion euros (5 billion dollars) are to be either signed or agreed during the visit, half of them in the energy sector.

In addition, the two countries are expected to formulate an agreement on closer cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.

But green (or euro) tinted glasses cannot hide the fact that things aren't so rosy. Despite the recent Jewish flap, Sarkozy raised eyebrows before when he refused to apologize for French colonialization of the North African country. This is actually his second visit to Algeria since becoming president, but this will be crowned with the signing of a "10-year partnership agreement" called by David Martinon a "simplified friendship treaty." One wonders what they have to fear from the word "complicated."

Update: Even Le Figaro seems to be catching on these utterly cash-centered voyages: Après la Chine, Nicolas Sarkozy vend en Algérie