President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali gives Interview to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs

(April 2005 issue)

Question 1:

You have allocated most of the resources of the State budget to development objectives, instead of military expenditures for instance. How do you assess the results of this approach? And is there a Tunisian model in this regard?

Answer :

Since assuming the leadership of the country, we have considered comprehensive development as Tunisia's prime objective.

It follows that the State has constantly been keen on supporting all efforts aimed at achieving comprehensive development and surrounding this objective with all political and social guarantees. We have made sure development in our country is balanced and comprehensive, and based on plans reconciling economic aspirations with social considerations. This orientation of ours finds its illustration in the State budget which stipulates development priorities to be implemented.

Tunisian society has witnessed a remarkable evolution in living standards and well-being. This evolution is particularly reflected in the increase of the per capita income and the reduction of the poverty rate to 4.2%. We are indeed proud of what has been achieved in the field of human development. In fact, Tunisia ranks among the first ten countries that have managed to improve overall development indicators during the period 1990-2002, thanks to the evolution of economic indicators as well as those related to education, training, social security and healthcare.

In 2004, the national economy has achieved positive results. The growth rate has gone up to 5.8% at fixed prices, and most sectors have contributed to this growth. This in addition to sound financial balances, as the budget deficit was limited to 2.6% and the trade deficit reduced to 2.1%. This has made it possible to reduce the debt indicator to 49.3%, against 51.1% in 2003, and bring down the unemployment rate to 13.9% currently.

While promoting economic efficiency and openness, the State pursues its efforts to preserve and consolidate social gains, and to provide the conditions of well-being for all Tunisians. This is based on our conviction that no development effort can enjoy continuity if its' fruits are not distributed over all regions and social categories, and no stability can be ensured for a society where the phenomena of poverty and destitution still persist.

Based on our commitment to ensuring the correlation between the economic and social dimensions, we have managed to guarantee pay increases for several consecutive years, and to widen social security cover to 87% of the population in 2004. It is expected to reach 89% in 2005. Besides, social transfers will reach 19.5% of the GDP in 2005, and the State budget allocates 54% of the total funds for social sectors and fields.

Efforts are also being pursued to further develop the health sector and to introduce reforms into the systems of education and training.

Our human resources are indeed our wealth, our most important asset, and our effective tool to achieve progress and well-being. We are firmly determined to provide them with all due care, to promote their potentialities, and to make sure they can contribute to the achievement of our civilizational project and national objectives. We are also determined that the largest part of the State's resources be allocated to the promotion of human resources and the consolidation of infrastructure and collective equipments. This will contribute to preserving the gains of the present and provide the requirements to ensure the future.

Perhaps one of the most telling indicators regarding our development process is the fact that the middle class in our country currently accounts for nearly 80% of the population. This is indeed an achievement that we will endeavor to consolidate, relying in this regard on our firm choices and orientations in the field of economic and social development. These choices are based on a fair distribution of wealth among all regions and social categories, and on a contract-based policy ensuring our social stability and reinforcing the foundations of a harmonious and solidarity-based society.

If there is a Tunisian model in this regard, it is, in fact, a model based on the correlation and complementarity between the economic and social dimensions of development, and on the sound use of resources and their orientation toward Man's promotion.

Question 2:

How do you assess the evolution of the democratic process in your country? And what are the future steps that will be made to reinforce this process?

Answer:

Since the Change, we have taken the commitment, vis-à-vis the Tunisian people, to establish the bases for an evolved political life. We have constantly reaffirmed that our people is worthy of that. We have in fact undertaken major reforms through which we have reinforced the rule of law and consecrated the will of the people. We have amended the Constitution in that direction and introduced reforms in legislations regulating public life. We have also guaranteed freedoms and human rights, anchored their principles, and enlarged the scope of their protection in the text of the Constitution. Our country has, in fact, made large strides on the path of democracy and pluralism.

While renewing our commitment to our people to move forward on this path, we are determined to enter into a new phase of change which ensures the consolidation of the foundations of the republican system and gives an added momentum to democracy, pluralism, individual and public liberties, and human rights, in such a way as to meet our ambitions and our people's aspirations, and keep up with the transformations and progress witnessed by our country since 1987.

We are strongly committed to continue promoting political life. Tomorrow's Tunisia is indeed a civilizational and historical project geared towards continued progress. In our view, change and reform are a continuous action aimed at achieving a developed political life which opens up wider prospects of participation for the various components of civil society. This, according to the same approach that has ensured Tunisia's stability, prosperity and security; that is, a prudent approach avoiding any leaps into the unknown. This gradualist approach is indeed the safety net which protects our country against all shocks or setbacks.

I believe that our people and all national forces are now firmly convinced of the soundness of this irreversible choice. This choice is based on the belief that democracy is the force which liberates the creative capacities of citizens in all fields and makes Man a builder of civilizations.

Presidential and legislative elections held in our country last October have been characterized by transparency and democracy, as testified by international observers. The political events our country will witness in 2005, particularly the elections of the Chamber of Advisors and of municipal councils, will once again demonstrate that the process of democracy and pluralism in Tunisia is a strategic choice and a firm orientation. They will also reflect our strong will to enlarge the scope of representation, promote local democracy, reinforce freedom of opinion and expression, further enrich the media landscape, and guarantee human rights whether in the legal text, in practice, or as a culture.

Question 3

How do you see the future of Tunisia? And are you optimistic about the prospects of the future generations?

Answer

The Program for the Future, the electoral program which we submitted to the Tunisian people in 1999 and which we were able to implement by 100%, has established a strong basis and the best image we want for Tomorrow's Tunisia and its future; an image embracing excellence, progress, stability, serenity, cohesion and solidarity.

As we have conceived it in our Program for the coming five years, and indeed according to what we started implementing in this program and the way we envision it, Tomorrow's Tunisia is a creative and innovative country boasting a shining civilization. It is a country capable of meeting the challenges of the new century; a country with a free, advanced and tolerant society.

It is a country which offers a better quality of life, a higher income for its citizens, and more protection for consumers; a country where efforts are devoted to the creation of more job opportunities and sources of income; a country achieving faster growth and a greater integration within the global economy.

It is a country endowed with a modern infrastructure for a new economy, a higher pace of creating business enterprises, a new impetus for exports, and a modern banking and financial system.

Tunisia is a place which offers propitious conditions for the building of a knowledge-based economy, and wider opportunities for school and university students. In Tunisia, women have gone beyond the status of equality to that of effective partnership. In Tunisia, our youth is preparing for a promising future. Tunisia cares for its communities abroad and sees in them a bridge between civilizations and a source of support for its development.

In Tunisia, culture is accessible to all, and creativity keeps up with the requirements of globalization. There is in the country an uninterrupted movement of research and innovation in order to meet the coming challenges and achieve the highest level of integration within its international environment;

In Tunisia, political reform is a firm choice and an ever-continuing process. In the coming stage, we will, in fact, work to further enhance the role of the various components of civil society, including political parties, organizations and associations, and to further enlarge the forums of dialogue in the national media landscape.

We are aware that our country is stepping into a crucial stage of its historical process. We have indeed been keen on drawing up the themes of our work program for the coming stage based on this awareness, so as to prepare our country, as best as possible, to reach the high status it deserves in view of its glorious past and present, and to make sure it holds its due place within the ranks of advanced countries, in a century when there is room only for creative peoples.

Our program draws its ambition from the ambitions of our people, particularly its youth. It is indeed a legitimate ambition considering the current gains and achievements of our country. Each Tunisian citizen is indeed optimistic about the future, despite the challenges that have to be met and the stakes that must be won.

Question 4:

How do you see the status of women in Tunisia's public life and in society at large?

Answer:

Since the Change of November 7, 1987, we have been keen on promoting women's status in society. The principles of equality and equal opportunities in public and private life have already been anchored. Women are now capable of defending their gains themselves. They have also become effective partners in building the future.

The following figures and indicators confirm what we are saying. The schooling rate of six-year-old girls has exceeded 99%. Young women constitute 56.4% of university students. And the number of women owning business enterprises has increased to 10,000. As regards political and public life, women's presence has been enlarged: women represent 14% of government members and 22.7% of members of the Chamber of Deputies. They also represent 20.6% of members of municipal councils since 2000, and we hope this percentage will increase following the 2005 elections. Besides, the percentage of women holding civil service responsibilities has gone up to 22%, including 23 in director-general positions. The ratio of women in the labor force has increased to 25%, without taking into account women working in the informal sector. There is an increasing number of women associations, and a greater presence of women in all occupations including the magistracy, education, aviation, and small crafts and businesses.

Proud as we are of the Tunisian women's attachment to the project of Change and to its choices, and of their role in building Tunisia's present and future, and considering that what has been achieved for women at this stage constitutes strong factors of equilibrium, solidarity and stability in our society, we will pursue our work to enhance the role of women and to ensure their presence at all decision-making positions. Our objective is to allow them to reach the level of full partnership with men, considering in particular the degree of competence and ability they have demonstrated in all the fields of endeavor, and to make sure they remain an integral part of the brilliant image we seek for Tunisia. In this regard, we will work during the coming stage to consecrate women's aspirations, by offering them 30% of decision-making and responsibility positions by the end of 2009. In that way, we reinforce their partnership with men in all political, economic, social and cultural fields, and enlarge the scope of this partnership, after we have consecrated their rights and reinforced their presence in constitutional institutions and in other bodies.

Question 5:

Tunisia's National Solidarity Fund initiative was a pioneering initiative in fighting poverty. Now that this experience has inspired the launching of the World Solidarity Fund, how is this international initiative supposed to function? How can you ensure the transfer of the success of Tunisia's domestic experience in fighting poverty to the World Solidarity Fund? After your decision to allocate 10% of the donations of the National Solidarity Fund to the World Solidarity Fund, how do you plan to transfer those donations to the fund? What are the most appropriate means of making the poorer social categories of the world population benefit from the World Solidarity Fund? What are the reasons for your optimism concerning the ability of the World Solidarity Fund to address the poverty problem in the world?

Answer:

In order to address the problem of the existing imbalances between rich and poor nations, it was imperative to create new recipes and mechanisms of solidarity capable of enshrining the spirit of solidarity between the various peoples of the world. It is within this framework that we called for the setting up of the World Solidarity Fund for the eradication of poverty. The purpose is to end poverty, deprivation and exclusion in the different regions of the world and to contribute to the development of poorer areas everywhere on this planet.

As you mentioned in your question, our call for a World Solidarity Fund was inspired by our national experience, one that has proven its efficiency. Indeed, we have managed, through the "26/26" initiative, to take more than one million Tunisians out deprivation and exclusion and integrate them into the socio-economic productive cycle. In doing so, we were able to provide them with the basics of a decent livelihood and reduce the country's poverty rate to 4.2%.

Beyond humanitarian and charitable objectives, the World Solidarity Fund for which we have called paves the way for an international coalition of governments, states and NGOs that will constitute a united front against poverty and epidemics. It will supplement the contribution of other mechanisms created to that effect. The Fund reinforces the developmental policies of developing countries, as it is no longer acceptable in today's world that the majority of humanity continue suffering from disease, hunger and underdevelopment.

As regards the disbursement of the funds allocated to the World Solidarity Fund, the General Assembly of the United Nations has decided in its resolution relative to the creation of the Fund to entrust its competent structures and mechanisms with the appropriate distribution of resources to the needy categories of the population and to specific areas. Tunisia has allocated 10% of the donations made by citizens and companies, during the National Solidarity Day celebrated on December 8, 2004, toward the financing of the World Solidarity Fund, so as to allow the Fund to accomplish its noble mission and help fight poverty as swiftly as possible.

We are convinced that after the first financed projects are implemented, favorable reactions will boost contributions to the Fund's resources. This will create a dynamic where local and international communities will jointly contribute to putting an end to poverty and destitution in the world so as to ensure Man's dignity regardless of his origin. We are fully hopeful and optimistic that noble humanitarian values and their moral corollaries will prevail as we reach for a better world where all enjoy the same chances for a life of dignity, where the values of mutual help and solidarity between nations are upheld, and where the prerequisites for security, stability and development in the world are met.

Experience has also shown that the elimination of poverty ensures the elimination of one of the factors facilitating the growth of the scourge of terrorism. Experience has also shown that poverty offers a fertile ground for the recruitment and manipulation of extremist elements.

Question 6:

How can the United States contribute to the setting up of the World Solidarity Fund?

Answer:

We have insisted upon all nations, including the United States, to contribute to the financing of Fund's activities and initiatives.

Question 7:

In a situation like the one following the Tsunami disaster in South Asia, what could have been the contribution of the Fund?

Answer:

If the fund had the necessary means to start undertaking its actions, it would have carried food and medical relief projects as well as reconstruction efforts in the disaster-stricken areas. The World Solidarity Fund would make its contribution along with that of other existing funds and programs. It would not try to replace them.

Question 8:

The second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) will be held in your country at the end of this year, upon Tunisia's proposal. What are your expectations from this Summit?

Answer:

Based on the awareness that the digital divide between countries is essentially a development and technological gap, we proposed, in 1998, the holding of a world summit, under the auspices of the United Nations, driven by the conviction that this sector is vital for the achievement of a balanced and just human development.

The first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society held in Geneva offered an opportunity to reaffirm that the knowledge-based society will radically change the face of the world, that disparity is taking new forms which humanity had never known before, and that addressing the current issues must be based on an appropriate approach embracing eternal universal principles.

It follows that the Information Society to which we aspire is one that provides equal opportunities to benefit from this technology; a society that offers all peoples and nations, without discrimination or exclusion, the possibility to have access to sources of knowledge and information and to services which today cover all fields.

Our country, which will have the honor of hosting the second phase of the Summit in November 2005, will work to ensure its success, hoping that the Tunis phase will establish a solid ground that will make of these technologies a tool to improve the conditions of the least developed countries, as part of an effective solidarity-based vision, so that these countries can meet their needs and achieve their ambitions.

It is to be pointed out that the Tunisian effort at the international level goes in parallel with our domestic effort. For indeed, establishing the information and communication society constitutes a fundamental choice for our country which we have worked to materialize, as part of a comprehensive approach illustrated mainly through the continuous structural reforms and the reinforcement of the infrastructure of the information and communication technologies; these being the basic foundations of the knowledge-based economy and a crucial factor to stimulate development process.

In this context, we have worked to promote our human resources, to generalize the teaching of computer sciences at all educational levels of education, to establish high institutes for technological studies, and to set up technological poles and centers for innovative projects in all regions. This in addition to the training of specialists in communication and computer sciences, and encouraging them to develop their capacities, to assimilate the new technologies, and to use them to serve the country's development objectives.

We have also been keen on disseminating the digital culture on the widest scale, through the mass media and through computer centers for children, and on connecting educational institutions, from primary schools to universities, to the Internet. This in addition to generalizing computer and Internet clubs in cultural centers, establishing a network of Internet centers open for all, and offering Tunisian average-income families facilities and incentives to purchase "family computers".

In addition, we have managed, thanks to this strategy, to increase the number of subscribers to the networks of fixed line and mobile telephone. The volume of investments allocated to this sector has increased from 460 million dinars during the 7th plan (1987-1991) to 2,840 million dinars during the 10th Plan (2002-2006), of which 1,100 million dinars to be implemented by the private sector to which we have offered the opportunity to sustain the State's efforts, by encouraging private domestic and foreign investments in this sector. We have also promoted such novel economic sectors as e-commerce.

On the other hand, the number of Internet users in Tunisia has increased to more than 800,000. This number will further increase following our decision to reduce subscription and access rates for families. This in addition to establishing a legislative system in keeping with the changes witnessed by this sector at the national and international levels.

This confirms that our endeavor to guarantee the future of Tunisia is also based on our awareness that the information and knowledge society is indeed the society of the future.

Question 9

What are, according to you, the conditions that can ensure the re-establishment of security in Iraq?

Answer

We have constantly insisted on the efforts of both the international community and the UN in order to assist the Iraqi people to regain its security and stability, and to rebuild its institutions, so as to dedicate its efforts to the reconstruction of the country, while preserving its territorial unity and integrity.

Question 10

Your country has always supported the idea of the existence of an independent Palestinian State. What are the Tunisian initiatives today in view of the establishment of a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians? What role can your country play in the peace process, and what role can the United States play?

Answer

The peace process in the Middle East is going through a critical stage because of the tragic and dangerous conditions that the brotherly Palestinian people is going through today. Tunisia has taken part in all the stages of the peace process because it considers peace a strategic choice. We will always remain committed to international legality as the basic reference in all developments.

Considering the current difficulties facing the peace process, the international community and the countries involved and particularly the United States of America, should ensure the most favorable conditions for the resumption of peace negotiations, on the basis of the UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace".

We are hopeful that the Quartet will intensify its efforts towards implementing the "Roadmap", which will make the creation of an independent Palestinian state possible, and guarantee peace and security for all the peoples of the region.

We should not lose hope. The Palestinians and Israelis are bound to live together. If there is political will, peace is possible. On our part, we will spare no effort to promote peace initiatives.

Question 11:

Beside the problems related to poverty and health, what are, according to you, the major problems facing the world today?

Answer :

We are conscious that the deep changes that are transforming today's world have also been at the origin of serious problems which are pressing the international community to review its own working methods in order to preserve international peace and security, while adopting a more global approach which takes into consideration the need for reinforcement of solidarity and mutual aid between the peoples of the world as well as the close link between security, peace and development. We are convinced that dialogue and negotiation are the best means to solve conflicts regardless of their magnitude and complexity.

The elimination of hotbeds of tension in the world and the focus of nations on efforts aimed at fostering their development, are the foundations on which the world order must rest. Peace, security, partnership and overall development can be carried out only at that price. Our vision is based on the idea of a partnership between peoples and states, based on solidarity and mutual security. Within this perspective, the United Nations represents, in our view, the best framework for the setting up of a dialogue among nations as well as for preserving peace, security and stability in the world.

In the same way that we have called for an international conference to set up the foundations for a UN covenant for peace and development, we have also called for the reinforcement of the principle of mutual understanding and positive interaction between religions, civilizations and cultures, the enshrinement of the values of tolerance and solidarity between individuals, groups and peoples in order to make possible the advent of a more peaceful future for humanity, one that is removed from conflicts and confrontations.

It is important to note that the threat posed by terrorism and extremism in today's world requires a real, appropriate commitment on the part of the international community to find common solutions to counter this scourge. In this respect, we have called for the urgent convening of an international conference, under the aegis of the United Nations, in order to set up an ethics charter to be implemented by the nations of the world in the fight against terrorism. One of the main factors that can help eradicate terrorism and ensure security in the world is the adoption of just policies toward peoples and nations. This means putting an end to double-standards in dealing with pressing issues and problems. Indeed, beside its negative impact on peace and stability in the world, this leads to feelings of humiliation and frustration among some of the peoples of the world; feelings on which terrorism feeds and breeds.

This is why the world needs to adopt a common civilizational concept based on a genuine dialogue of cultures in order to enshrine the unity of human civilization. This concept is founded on the notions that the richness of the world is based on the diversity of its various ethnic groups and civilizations, and that the universality of values does not exclude the specificities of each society.

Building bridges between cultures, civilizations and religions is, in our view, the best means to thwart the dangers of extremism, terrorism, and confrontation.

Tunisia is committed to working towards a better future based on cooperation and solidarity.

We are hopeful that the international community will take advantage of the new global transformations and of the new potentialities they open for communication, interaction and complementarity, in order to achieve stability and development as well as to promote the happiness of Mankind everywhere.

Question 12:

We have travelled all across Tunisia. Everywhere, we have noted the enormous popular support you enjoy and the attachment of the people to your leadership. On the island of Jerba, we were also impressed by the peaceful coexistence and harmonious relations between Jews and Muslims. Is this climate of tolerance part of the Tunisian model?

Answer:

In Tunisia, we respect all religions. In Jerba, there is no difference between Muslims and Jews. By definition, Tunisians are tolerant and respectful of other faiths. In this country, extremism is an alien notion and an imported phenomenon.