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| President Zine
El Abidine Ben Ali |
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The WashingtonTimes
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Tunisians vividly remember listening to the radio
one November morning sixteen years ago, and learning
of the constitutional accession of Zine El Abidine
Ben Ali to the presidency of their country. Even
today, the memory of Habib Bourguiba, the founding
father of independent Tunisia, is still very much
honored. Yet, in1987, the peaceful transition from
the octogenarian president to the younger, self-assured
Ben Ali, brought a sigh of relief from the Tunisian
people.
Among the fist steps taken by the new administration
was to amend the Tunisian Constitution in order
to do away with life presidency and automatic succession.
In the words of President Ben Ali, Tunisia, despite
its lack of natural resources, "was able to
come out of the deplorable situation in which it
was mired before 1987 and engage into a new stage
that made it possible to attain an advanced position
within the group of emerging nations."
Born into a middle class family in 1936 Ben Ali
was raised to respect tradition and to display tolerance
for other people. This later quality has been an
important characteristic of his leadership style.
While in secondary school, Ben Ali became active
in the fight against colonialism, immersing himself
in the nationalist movement. After having been arrested,
imprisoned, and released, he sought a military education
in France before moving on to Senior Intelligence
School in Maryland.
During this time Ben Ali managed to secure a degree
in electronic engineering—a move that would
later come back to serve Tunisia in ways he could
not have expected. "My interest in computer
science," said the president, "has had
a considerable impact on the way I work, giving
me a definite taste for logic, rigorous analysis
and long-term planning which shuns improvisation."
In a nutshell, the president once said: "I
listen, I ponder, I act."
Action has been a trademark of the Ben Ali administration.
As a result of numerous presidential initiatives,
Tunisian women, more than simply having their basic
rights guaranteed, have became full partners to
men. In addition, the educational reforms that made
school attendance compulsory until the age of 16,
has raised the schooling rate for both boys and
girls to more than 99 percent, and has done much
to foster a culture of openness, tolerance and innovation.
In foreign policy, President Ben Ali has displayed
active and dynamic diplomacy, and is credited for
his contributions in the search for a just and lasting
peace in the Middle East. The president has also
received recognition for his role in encouraging
the economic and political integration of the Maghrib
and for helping its neighbor Libya to edge its way
out of the cold.
Said Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State
for Public Affairs, "Tunisia has been a voice
for moderation. Tunisia has been a voice for regional
harmony. Tunisia has been a voice for putting effort
and resources into development, rather than wasting
them on arms races or conflict or weapons of mass
destruction. And that’s the kind of role that
we think Tunisia’s played in discussions with
Libyan leaders, as well as the kind of role it continues
to play in the region."
Secretary of State Colin Powell was also quick
to hail the nation’s domestic achievements
during a December 2003 visit to Tunis, saying "We
are great admirers of Tunisia and the progress that
has been achieved under President Ben Ali’s
leadership: One of the highest literacy rates in
the world, openness in the society to the participation
of women, and the political and economic performance
that has been taking place over the years."
Shortly after the change of government in 1987,
a bill was adopted that spelled out new rules related
to pre-trial custody and preventive detention. In
addition to the abolition of hard labor, the State
Security Court and the office of State Prosecutor
were disbanded. In 1984 Tunisia ratified the U.N.
Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman
and Degrading Punishments.
The introduction of a major constitutional reform
bill, two years ago, aimed to further promote human
rights, political pluralism, and increase parliamentary
oversight. Under President Ben Ali Tunisia has become
a pioneer in the protection of human rights, and
has worked diligently towards developing a comprehensive
policy that combines economic, social, and cultural
rights with civil and political rights.
In response to charges by various foreign media
that human rights activists were being harassed
in Tunisia, President Ben Ali answered that it is
absurd to indict the entire state over any individual
case of abuse that may have occurred. "Whenever
there is evidence of abuse, we have made sure those
responsible are made accountable," said the
president.
During his January 20-23, 2004 visit to Tunisia
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights
and Labor, Lorne W. Craner noted, "It is clear
to me that in Tunisia a foundation has been created
for democracy, a foundation that you often don’t
see in other countries. Poverty is much less than
it is in neighboring countries. There is a very
high rate of literacy here, a very high rate of
education. And I was particularly struck by the
place of women in Tunisian society."
In a report recently issued by the World Economic
Forum, Tunisia, under President Ben Ali, has become
the most competitive country in Africa. The nation’s
modern infrastructure, favorable legislation and
climate of stability and growth has attracted an
increasing number of foreign investors. Some have
dubbed it "the Tunisian miracle."
President Ben Ali is the father of five children.
His wife, Madame Leila Ben Ali, is active in a number
of Tunisian and international charities, working
to promote the causes of women, families and children.
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