[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3638]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                46TH ANNIVERSARY OF TUNISIA INDEPENDENCE

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the country of 
Tunisia, which is celebrating the 46th anniversary of its independence 
from France.
  I appreciate Tunisia's economic achievements. Tunisia's Gross 
Domestic Product has increased an average of 5.5 percent in the past 4 
years, and inflation is slowing. The government has worked to increase 
privatization, and its prudent approach toward debt is commendable. The 
United States in 2000 exported approximately $350 million in goods to 
Tunisia, and I believe our diplomatic ties will strengthen as our 
trading activities increase. Stability in the Middle East is of 
paramount importance to both our countries, and I thank Tunisia for its 
past efforts to work toward peace.
  Tunisia's policies toward women's rights and non-Muslims' religious 
freedoms are exemplary in the Arab world, and I hope the nation's 
leaders will continue to work toward promoting greater political 
freedom and respect for human rights throughout the region.
  More than 200 years ago, the United States and Tunisia signed a 
Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and I look forward to many more years 
of cooperation between our nations.
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the forty-sixth 
anniversary of Tunisian Independence from France.
  The Republic of Tunisia is a great ally of the United States. Since 
her independence, Tunisia has become a model for economic development. 
The Tunisian economy has been opened up to the outside world, and in 
1995, Tunisia became the first country south of the Mediterranean to 
sign a free-trade agreement with the European Union.
  Tunisian President Ben Ali has been instrumental in implementing a 
stable and effective constitutional government, protecting democracy 
and increasing political participation by all citizens. The Republic of 
Tunisia also has a commendable record on human rights, protecting all 
citizens. In addition, Tunisia has actively contributed to the search 
for a lasting peace in the Middle East, offering unwavering support to 
the Middle East peace process.
  While Tunisia has become a great contributor to the world both 
economically and culturally, as Americans, we must also remember the 
tremendous role Tunisia played during World War II as part of the 
Allied Force and the support Tunisia offered the United States during 
the Cold War. For this, we will always be grateful.
  The United States was the first country to recognize Tunisia's 
independence in 1956, and it is only fitting that we take the time to 
reflect on Tunisia's contributions to the world. I congratulate the 
Republic of Tunisia and its citizens, and I urge my colleagues to do 
the same.

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