CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE 135. The CSAR sees the tragedy of the “years of ashes” as “terrorist aggression” and places greater emphasis on the legal and political mechanisms used at that time to encourage a climate of peace. In so doing, the report fails to analyse the internal causes. Such an analysis is essential for drawing up a national strategy for the prevention and management of conflict. 136. The CSAR therefore does not provide an analysis of social and economic inequalities, increased poverty and unemployment, and the lack of trust between the government and the people. These are all factors which, to a greater or lesser extent, provided fertile ground for terrorist recruitment and action. 137. In the wake of lessons learnt at the time of the “sanction vote”, which marked the elections in 1992, important initiatives for improving the distribution of national resources are under way. It is worth spending time in considering these. 138. The government launched the Programme for Economic Stimulation at the end of April 2001. An allocation of DA500 billion (the equivalent of US$7.2 billion), was made over a period of three years to stimulate agricultural and industrial activities, construct basic infrastructure, create jobs and improve the living conditions of citizens by assuming greater responsibility for their social needs and activities (housing; youth training ; educational, cultural, sports and leisure infrastructure, etc.). 139. The CRM notes with interest the implementation of a Complementary Support Programme for the Relaunch of the Economy (PSRE) for 2005–2009, with a budget of US$55 billion, the purpose of which is to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially as regards the eradication of poverty. It goes hand in hand with the 2005–2009 five-year plan, thus mobilising an overall investment of US$120 billion. 140. Furthermore, it notes the concern of the Algerian authorities with reducing the “flagrant imbalances” observed between the regions by implementing a development programme for the High Plateaux and the South. For this reason, the wilayas of the High Plateaux are currently benefiting from a “policy of intensive support” in the context of their development programme. This additional programme comes to DA200 billion, over and above the amount of approximately DA500 billion allocated to the wilayas of the High Plateaux for the five-year growth stimulation plan. This sum, like that allocated to the wilayas in the South, will improve the standard of living of citizens in all spheres and the deficit recorded in housing and the supply of drinking water and energy in the wilayas of the High Plateaux to be reduced. It will also improve conditions in education, training and health. 141. The Fund of the South will be allocated DA200 billion up until 2009, which will allow a complementary programme for the wilayas to be launched, representing over 50 per cent of the programme referred to above. The Fund of 62