Algeria - Government allows opposition rally

T/I: 10:18:36 Saying the government has entered a new democratic era, the Algerian government gave its blessing to Thursday's (30/10) opposition rally. The opposition is protesting alleged irregularities in the election process. The rally, which was expected to draw thousands, would not have been permissible prior to last week's elections. President Zeroual's spokesman, Habib Chawki Hamraoui, said the new democratic mood gives the opposition the right to air their grievances. Mr. Hamraoui says the elections were free and fair, but the opposition could, if it wished, take its complaints to a legal commission. ================================================================ SHOWS: ALGIERS, ALGERIA, 29/10 CA Habib Chawki Hamraoui, President Zeroual's spokesman and Minister of Communications picking up the telephone ; SOT Habib Chawki Hamraoui, President Zeroual's spokesman and Minister of Communications (in French): " The democratic transition is a fact, the people expressed its opinion..people have spoken through the ballot ...every one can defend its ideas, in a democratic way, the elections were held in normal circumstances..the opposition has the right to express by demonstration..the goverment will support their choice for an impartial instance that could decide the electoral outcome"; CA Zeroual portrait; SOT Habib Chawki Hamraoui, (in French): " If it is done in a legal way, there is nothing to say...we live in a new era after all these years. The Algerians can express themselves in a democratic way, it's their right, the government can now apply its programme and continue its policies"; VS Algiers streets on a rainy day; newspaper headlines with titles in Spanish "Basta!!" and in French; opposition preparing posters and other items for demonstration; vs of preparations; 3.23 You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c99accc4e0ac4268e4bd52c85430715f Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork