U.S. Supports Tunisia's Political Transition

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer

Washington - The Obama administration supports Tunisia's democratic transition following the ouster of former President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali while "recognizing that this is a Tunisian-initiated and Tunisian-led process," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said.

"We support the transition that is under way. And we hope that this transition will be peaceful," Crowley told reporters in Washington January 24.

He said Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman had arrived in the country earlier in the day for meetings with officials in Tunisia's transitional government, political party leaders and civil society advocates.

Feltman is there to "convey U.S. support to the Tunisian people," as well as assess where Tunisia is in its transition and "how the United States can help," Crowley said.

He said the Obama administration could be helpful in providing support and preparations for Tunisia's upcoming elections through American nongovernmental organizations that have helped other countries that did not have prior histories of allowing a free and fair process.

Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi has called for open and credible elections in the coming six months, and Crowley said the vote "will be vitally important" and that the United States is willing to offer its expertise.

"The U.S. can be a constructive partner as Tunisia charts the course forward, including greater political and social freedom, work to achieve transparent, credible and timely elections, as well as its government addressing the underlying political and economic grievances that led to the recent unrest," Crowley said.

He acknowledged that after "decades of mistrust," many Tunisians continue to protest the country's leadership and have "questions about the nature of the government" following Ben Ali's departure January 14.

The interim government is "trying to be responsive," and Crowley urged it to "continue to open up a dialogue with and respond to the aspirations of its people."

He said U.S. officials in Tunisia had expressed their concerns over the temporary shutdown of the independent Hannibal TV network January 23, and said the government "reversed its action after a few hours."

"This is a government that is trying hard to respond to the aspirations of its people," Crowley said. "We know that this is hard, and we know that the government will at times ... have missteps along the way."

The United States is encouraged by positive steps it has taken, such as allowing space for political parties, opening a dialogue with Tunisian civil society, releasing prisoners, and allowing free media to cover developing events. Crowley said there is "a lot of work to be done" and said the government needs to continue responding to popular demands.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton telephoned Prime Minister Ghannouchi on January 22 to "express continued support for the people of Tunisia in their path to a more democratic society," according to a January 23 State Department release.

"The United States is encouraged by indications that the interim government is trying to be inclusive and ensure that the many segments of Tunisian society will have a voice," she told Ghannouchi, and she noted the prime minister's call for "open, free and credible elections in six months."

In her call, Clinton also commended the government's "first, but significant steps to begin to investigate corruption and past abuses, and to work toward political reform," specifically through its recent establishment of three investigatory committees tasked with addressing those issues.

"The United States stands ready to assist the Tunisian people to meet the challenges ahead, and ... will stand with them as they chart a new course for their country," Clinton said, according to the release.

ENDS

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