Bloomberg reports that the Algerian government wants Orascom Telecom to pay off the debts owed to it before it continues with a plan to nationalise Djezzy, Orascom’s local business. It says that Orascom has to pay US$230 million in debts and US$190 million in fines, also noting that the government “do not recognise any partner other than Orascom with whom we have signed a deal” – a reference to the planned acquisition of Orascom by VimpelCom.