Algeria and the United States has a complicated relationship that has improved politically and economically. When John F. Kennedy was still a senator, he spoke in support of Algerian independence to The New York Times on July 2, 1957.[4] During his presidency, Kennedy congratulated Algeria after it had won its independence from the French in 1962.[5] Prime Minister Ben Bella visited President Kennedy on October 15, 1962, one day before the Cuban Missile Crisis started.[6] However, Algeria cut off diplomacy in 1967 because of the Arab-Israeli War, since it supported the Arab countries while the United States was on the Israeli side.[6] President Nixon was able to reestablish relations and President Boumédiène visited the United States on April 11, 1974.[7]