[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TUNISIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2002

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to take this opportunity to inform my 
colleagues that Wednesday, March 20, 2002, marks the 46th anniversary 
of Tunisia's independence. I invite my colleagues to join in extending 
our congratulations to the leaders and people of this important ally. 
The Republic of Tunisia has been and continues to be a model of 
economic growth, while keeping Islamic fundamentalism at bay.
  However, the relationship between the United States and Tunisia is 
much older than Tunisia's 46th Anniversary of its independence may 
suggest. The United States first signed a treaty of peace and 
friendship with Tunisia in 1797. During World War II, Tunisia's 
nationalist leaders suspended their struggle against France in order to 
support the Allied cause, and, in 1956, the United States was the first 
world power to recognize Tunisia's independence.
  Today Tunisia and the United States enjoy friendly bilateral 
relations. The Tunisian government has contributed military contingents 
to U.N. peacekeeping missions in Cambodia, Somalia, the Western Sahara, 
and Rwanda. Cooperation between the Tunisian and U.S. military has been 
growing, with an increasing number of joint exercises.
  At the same time, after years of hard work, Tunisia has produced one 
of the highest standards of living in the region. U.S. bilateral 
economic assistance programs have ended principally because of 
Tunisia's resounding success in social and economic development. 
Tunisia's prudent fiscal and debt management policies also have given 
Tunisia access to international capital markets. Thus, Tunisia is one 
of the few countries to graduate successfully from development 
assistance and join the developed world.
  Whether protecting Mediterranean shipping lanes against Barbary 
pirates, opposing the Nazi war machine in North Africa, supporting 
Western interests during the Cold War, or serving as an island of peace 
and security in a sea of troubles, the United States has always been 
able to count on Tunisia for its support regarding the important issues 
of the day.
  Accordingly, I invite my colleagues to join in congratulating all 
Tunisians as they celebrate the 46th anniversary of their nation's 
independence.

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