[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 40 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             TUNISIA AT 40

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 1996

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, March 20, 1996 marks the 40th anniversary 
of the independence of the Republic of Tunisia. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in saluting the people of this important North African country 
on this significant milestone.
  Tunisia, first, under President Bourguiba, and since 1987, under 
President Ben Ali, has played a key role in preserving peace and 
stability in often turbulent North Africa and in providing leadership 
for the entire Arab world.
  This country of 9 million people is located between Libya and Algeria 
on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It has a tradition of playing an 
important regional role. For 11 years until 1990, Tunisia hosted the 
Arab League, and for 12 years from 1982 to 1994, Tunisia was the home 
of Yasir Arafat and the Palestine Liberation Organization. In that 
time, the Tunisians worked hard to moderate policies of the PLO and to 
promote the peace process.
  More recently, Tunisia has been a leader in promoting the peace 
process. Tunisia was the first Arab state to host a U.N. multilateral 
meeting of the peace process and to welcome an official Israeli 
delegation. And on January 22 of this year, Israel and Tunisia agreed 
to establish diplomatic relations, and I understand that interests 
sections will open in Tunis and Tel Aviv by mid-April, 1996.
  At home, Tunisia has been a leader in its region. Tunisia has taken 
steps toward democracy. It has opened up both its economy and its 
political system, despite the pressures of extremism with which Tunisia 
and its neighbors must contend. Tunisia's budget has the right 
priorities. Defense spending is reduced. Education is a top priority, 
and it is reflected in Tunisia's 60 percent literacy rate.
  Tunisia still has some distance to go in achieving a full democracy 
and full protection of human rights. This year's Department of State 
human rights report notes that some serious problems remain. The 
government continued to stifle freedoms of speech, press, and 
association. Some improvement on human rights has occurred, and I hope 
that Tunisia will take note of these concerns and address them in a 
positive way in the months ahead.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join in saluting Tunisia for its 
moderation, its leadership, and its continued strong partnership with 
the United States. I hope that United States-Tunisian relations 
continue to expand and deepen and that Tunisia continues to grow as a 
leader in promoting peace, stability, and economic and political 
openness.

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