Political Development Underway in Tunisia
U.S. Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton today said political development is underway in Tunisia.
On her visit to Tunisia, Ms. Clinton said that the political side of the revolution is going quite well.
"The elections were done in a very impressive way. The assembly is now constituted. The government is up and running." -Ms. Clinton
On October 2011, Tunisians turned out in huge numbers to vote in the country's first free election since the start of the Arab Spring reform movement.
 Translation from French: Ben Ali out. Photo: Wikimedia Commons |
She cites that revolution in Tunisia has not only made a significant difference in the lives of Tunisians, but it has also given hope to people everywhere.
She highlighted that the challenge now for all the Tunisians is how to ensure that the economic development of Tunisia matches the political development.
She explains that this it is not an unusual challenge faced by Tunisia after the revolution.
"Anytime there is a revolution, there will be the need to reconstitute the economic institutions as well as the political ones." - Ms. Clinton
She stresses that the era of cronyism and corruption is over in Tunisia. She adds that the new era of entrepreneurship and opportunity is coming.
"There is a need for both short-term relief and a longer-term economic plan that will make the changes in Tunisia that will open Tunisia to the world and bring opportunity here to your country." -Ms. Clinton
She notes that the United States have pledged to help Tunisia in the short run to deal with the immediate economic needs of the Tunisian people, and also to support the longer-term changes that will make a real difference for Tunisia.
Ms. Clinton says that she will reach out to other governments and countries.
Ms. Clinton is a strong champion for Tunisian democracy and what has been accomplished here.
She notes that the world community must ensure that the economic opportunities that the Tunisian people are seeking are made available.
"So both on behalf of the United States and in my capacity as Secretary of State, working with colleagues from countries around the world, I will do my best to provide the support that is needed in the short term. I don't want to over-promise." -Ms. Clinton
She underlines that there's a global economic downturn affecting much of the world right now, she stresses that Tunisia has a way forward that will lead to success for this important country at this point in your history.
Ms. Clinton states she visited Tunisia to express the U.S. commitment to support Tunisia's political and the economic reforms that are occurring in the country.
On March 2011, after the ouster of former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the United States has pledged that it will work for the creation of jobs for the Tunisian people. The United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation will offer financial support in the form of direct loans, guarantees, and political risk insurance for the Tunisians. OPIC is already supporting two Tunisian private equity firms that are focused on small and medium-size businesses and will support investor visits by American businesses to Tunisia.
After the revolution, Tunisia confronts a long list of challenges to the creation of a democratic system. Expectations for swift and wide-ranging reforms are very high among a population hungry for change after decades of harsh authoritarian rule.
According to media reports, the political uncertainty in the wake of the dictator's departure has taken a toll on the Tunisian economy and its tourism sector in particular, on which some 500,000 people in this country of 10 million depend for employment.
Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain english. Contact Mina through NewsBlaze. Read more stories by Mina Fabulous.
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