A European Union fact-finding mission has arrived in Algiers for a day's talks with the authorities about the six years of bloodshed in the north African country.

This morning the newspapers - often the sole source of information on killings - reported 25 more deaths.

The victims are said to have had their throats slit when stopped by assailants at a false police roadblock at Bouira, 120km east of Algiers.

Derek Fatchett: "Not pointing the finger at Algerian government"

The British deputy foreign minister, Derek Fatchett, who heads the EUdelegation, said they had come to express Europe's profound concern.

"We came here in a spirit of partnership with Algeria and its people," he told reporters.

He said they had "no particular prescription or prejudices" for Algeria.

The BBC's George Arney reports with comment from Derek Fatchett (Dur:1' 15")

But he added: "Throughout Europe there has been a deep concern about the suffering of the people of Algeria and our intention is to proceed with a dialogue to see whether the EU could play a constructive role in alleviating that."

Mr Fatchett, along with his counterparts from Luxembourg and Austria, Georges Wohlfart and Benito Ferrero-Waldner, will discuss a wave of massacres that has claimed 1,100 lives in the past three weeks.

Hundreds have been killed in recent massacres

It has been one of the bloodiest chapters yet of Algeria's civil strife, pitting government forces against Muslim rebels.

Luxembourg, the UK and Austria form the "troika" of last, present and next holders of the EU presidency. The mission is accompanied by the European foreign affairs commissioner for the Mediterranean region, Miguel Marin.

More 'openness' needed

Mr Fatchett had earlier called for greater openness from the authorities about the bloodshed.

He told the BBC: "That's not pointing the finger at the Algerian government for responsibility. But it would help their case if we had a clear statement and understanding of the cause of these events."

The British minister said he expected the authorities to ask the EU mission for help in fighting the Islamic extremists that it blames for the massacres. But he denied that Britain planned to sell military equipment to help counter terrorism.

Killings have become more frequent in recent weeks

Algeria's pro-government newspapers on Monday laid out a frosty welcome for the mission, denouncing Europe as a hypocritical haven for Islamic "terrorists" and saying it should stop sheltering them.

Talks milestone

The talks mark the first time the Algerian government has shown willingness to discuss the conflict with the international community.

After repeatedly rejecting such discussions as interference in its internal affairs, Algeria agreed under intense pressure. However the country stood firm on its insistence that the talks should focus on joint efforts to confront terrorism.

Pro-government newspapers said the authorities hoped the arrival of the mission would herald a genuine dialogue on joint measures to defeat what they said was a threat to the stability of the whole Mediterranean region.

Algeria plunged into civil strife after the authorities in January 1992 cancelled a general election that the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) was poised to win. More than 80,000 people have since been killed and the FIS has been outlawed.

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