BEN ALI CELEBRATES 19 YEARS IN POWER

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 002744 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG - HARRIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL TS SUBJECT: BEN ALI CELEBRATES 19 YEARS IN POWER REF: TUNIS 2639 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES a.i. DAVID BALLARD FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. On November 7, Tunisian President Ben Ali celebrated the nineteenth anniversary of his assumption of power with a speech that highlighted his accomplishments and offered a few minor policy proposals. Typically, the speech focused on economic achievements and proposals. Although there was a traditional prisoner pardon, Ben Ali's remarks regarding the protection of human rights were unsubstantial. Other events related to the holiday primarily focused on praising Ben Ali, although he also decorated some prominent Tunisians with the "November 7th Medal." END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Ben Ali observed the nineteenth anniversary of his presidency with a speech to the nation on November 7. Local press headlines on the speech blazed "The Choice of Pluralism is Irreversible," and Ben Ali stressed that personal and national rights, including human rights, and freedoms in Tunisia are at the same level as developed countries. As evidence of this, Ben Ali announced that the Higher Committee of Human Rights will now accept petitions and complaints from citizens and engage in unannounced visits to prison establishments. While the Committee is also charged with reporting its confidential findings to Ben Ali, given it is a part of the Presidency, this step is unlikely, given Tunisia's prior human rights record, to improve the local human rights situation. Ironically, Ben Ali also granted the November 7th medal to Committee President Zakaria Ben Mustapha and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Bechir Tekkari (see also para 5.) However, in a positive human rights development, on November 4 Ben Ali pardoned a number of prisoners, including members of the banned an-Nahdha party (septel). ¶3. (C) Ben Ali also stressed his support for local and international media, highlighting the role of "fair criticism." This, only days after the Tunisian embassy in Qatar was closed (reftel) to protest al-Jazeera's coverage of Tunisian politics. Ben Ali announced that the national radio and television entity would be divided into two state-owned corporations. Ossama Romdhani, Director of the Foreign Press Agency, later told the Charge that the split would help both entities become more competitive, noting "everyone knows they're not doing a good job." ¶4. (U) The majority of the speech highlighted Tunisia's economic achievements under Ben Ali's rule, particularly its "high position at the head of developing countries, as confirmed by different indicators, reports of most international associations and world experts." Ben Ali made several new policy announcements related to economic development and attracting foreign investment. The gesture with the most concrete immediate economic impact was that, in support of the future full liberalization of the Tunisian Dinar, Ben Ali increased the amount of hard currency Tunisians can obtain before traveling abroad to TD 4000/year (USD 3030) and announcing an amnesty for those currently holding hard currency. Ben Ali also said there would be a new initiative to provide university graduates with computer and foreign language training. ¶5. (C) On the occasion of November 7th, President Ben Ali also presented national awards to key local figures, but only after he himself received the "Shield of Jerusalem" award from the Palestinian Journalists' Union. (COMMENT: Ben Ali traditionally receives awards -- usually from obscure foreign entities -- any time he presents them to others. However, a November 2 editorial in a local paper noted that Ben Ali refused an RCD attempt to award him, saying inexplicably that he "was focused on the future of the poor and youth." END COMMENT.) Ben Ali presented the November 7th Medal to several key figures, including musician Lotfi Bouchnak; GOT Ombudsman Alifa Farouk; Minister of Development and International Cooperation Mohamed Nouri Jouini; Prime Ministry Minister for Civil Service Zouheir M'Dhaffer; Charfeddine Guellouz, President of the Tunisian Social Security Union; Mohamed Moncef Zine, President of the Real Estate Tribunal; and Abderrahman Limam, Director General of the National Guard. Later in the day, Ben Ali hosted a reception celebrating the anniversary of the "Blessed Change." National and international dignitaries, including Charge, were invited to this low-key event to congratulate Ben Ali on his nineteen years as President. While many prominent Tunisians in attendance were past recipients of a variety of national awards (including the Order of the Republic and Order of Independence),only November 7th medals were worn on this occasion. ¶6. (U) Other anniversary events were equally laudatory of Ben Ali's achievements, even when Ben Ali did attend. In addition to cultural and sporting events, his ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) party hosted a major conference in celebration of November 7. According to press reports, Ben Ali also received congratulatory messages from Libya leader Muammar Qaddafi, Morocco's King Mohammed VI, Palestinian President Abbas, King Abdullah of Jordan and Omani Sultan Qaboos. ¶7. (C) COMMENT. Before each major speech, observers predict -- perhaps optimistically -- that Ben Ali will announce a major political reform initiative. This year, it was rumored he would change the constitution to appoint a vice president -- with most bets on Minister of Defense Kamel Morjane being the first incumbent. However, the speech failed to reveal any policies of interest to the average Tunisian. Stay tuned, though, because Ben Ali noted next year's celebration of twenty years of rule would be a "historical date." END COMMENT. BALLARD