[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               REGARDING POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN TUNISIA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
the Senate, Tunisia's efforts to bring peace and stability to Africa. 
On a continent wracked by inconceivable hardships, from widespread 
famine to genocidal civil wars, it is important for the United States 
to recognize and support those African nations actively working for 
peace. The Republic of Tunisia has consistently played just such a role 
over the years, promoting stability and cooperation on a continent in 
crisis.
  Rwanda. Somalia. Ethiopia. Angola. The magnitude of the human 
suffering endured by these and other African countries boggles the 
mind. Though the United States has rightfully made efforts to ease this 
pain, the fact is, there is a limit on how much we can accomplish. That 
is why it is so important for there to be nations on the African 
Continent that can take care of their own. Tunisia has stepped forward 
to be one of those countries.
  Surrounded by civil war, Islamic fundamentalism, and economic 
disaster, Tunisia has become an exception to the African rule. Since 
gaining independence from France in 1956, Tunisia has charted a course 
of openness and moderation in both its domestic and international 
affairs. Its President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, has welcomed Western 
friendship and embraced economic liberalization as a key element of 
progress. As a result, Tunisia has enjoyed average growth rates of over 
4 percent since 1987, and over 1,500 foreign firms now have direct 
investments or joint ventures with Tunisian companies.
  Tunisia also observes some of the most progressive cultural laws in 
the Moslem world, most prominent among them the Code of Personal Status 
[CPS]. The CPS, enacted shortly after independence in 1956, has been 
the driving force behind the emancipation of Tunisian women and the 
Arab world's most impressive example of enlightened tolerance. It 
abolished polygamy, allowed divorce, established minimum ages and 
requirements of consent before marriage, and codified the emancipation 
of women and their equality with men. Today, women in Tunisia enjoy the 
highest levels of independence in the Arab world, and in the world 
generally.
  President Ben Ali has undertaken impressive reforms since taking 
office in 1987. For the first time in Tunisian history, the creation of 
new political parties was welcomed, the Presidency was limited to three 
5-year terms, and political prisoners were freed. This year the first 
multiparty parliament in Tunisian history was elected, marking an 
important step toward full democracy. This was all done peacefully, 
unlike what happened after the aborted 1992 Algerian elections, when 
the army clashed with fundamentalists and thousands died.
  Tunisia's domestic stability has allowed it to take the lead in 
African affairs, most recently as head of the Organization for African 
Unity. Together with South African President Nelson Mandela, President 
Ben Ali has produced a blueprint for a New African Order. Its ultimate 
objective is to make African nations abandon dictatorships and one-
party rule, and to finally respect human rights. Some Africans already 
speak of a Tunis-Pretoria axis that could provide the battered 
continent with some effective leadership.
  A driving force behind the progressive Tunisian foreign policy is the 
Foreign Minister, His Excellency Mr. Habib Ben Yahya. I first met Mr. 
Yahya during his service as Tunisian Ambassador to the United States, 
and developed a deep respect for his abilities. Today I consider him to 
be one of the premier Foreign Ministers in the world.
  In June, Presidents Ben Ali and Mandela hosted a historic summit of 
African leaders in Tunis. For perhaps the first time, Africans realized 
that they must care for themselves, instead of waiting for outside 
intervention. Confronted with the horrific crisis in Rwanda, African 
leaders were forced to reassess their responsibility for ensuring 
stability on the continent. As a result, eight African countries sent 
military personnel to Rwanda, with Tunisia contributing 1,000 troops. 
Agreement was also reached to focus on domestic objectives, following 
the examples set by Tunisia and South Africa in the areas of democracy 
and economic development.
  Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Robert 
Pelletreau, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 
March:

       In Tunisia we can see the fruits of our successful programs 
     * * * it has now reached the point where it can offer 
     training and assistance to less-developed countries.

  As the former Ambassador to Tunisia, Mr. Pelletreau recognizes the 
strategic importance of having a tolerant, prowestern country bordering 
a volatile Algeria to the west and a hostile Libya to the south.
  Mr. President, it is important for us to be aware of the fact that we 
have an important and valuable partner in Tunisia. As an oasis of 
tolerance and stability nestled between underdeveloped and unfriendly 
neighbors, Tunisia will play an important role in stabilizing and 
unifying Africa in the years to come.

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