Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TUNIS1144
2008-11-06 17:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:  

LEAD BY EXAMPLE: TUNISIA REACTS TO AMERICAN

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #1144/01 3111724
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 061724Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5721
INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001144 

SIPDIS

NEA/MAG (NARDI/STEWART); DRL (JOHNSTONE/KLARMAN)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS
SUBJECT: LEAD BY EXAMPLE: TUNISIA REACTS TO AMERICAN
ELECTIONS

Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001144

SIPDIS

NEA/MAG (NARDI/STEWART); DRL (JOHNSTONE/KLARMAN)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS
SUBJECT: LEAD BY EXAMPLE: TUNISIA REACTS TO AMERICAN
ELECTIONS

Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) From GOT officials to the man on the street, the
Tunisian reaction to Barak Obama's win in the presidential
elections is overwhelmingly positive. Tunisians seem to be
taking this exercise in political participation to heart,
with Embassy officials hearing many variations of how Tunisia
has much to learn, and can benefit from, the American
democratic example. Many have expressed hope for increased
democracy promotion and a plan to end the conflict in Iraq
from the new administration. End Summary.

--------------
Headlines Embrace Change
--------------


2. (C) Many Tunisians seem to be living vicariously through
the American presidential elections, possibly because their
own legislative and presidential elections in 2009 promise to
be less than free and fair. Several Embassy contacts,
including one former head of an opposition party, have said
as much. The high interest in the American electoral process
was evidenced by the roughly 1,000 people who attended the
Embassy's Elections Night party on November 4th. There was a
sizeable crowd present though the night and into the next
morning, as people watched the results come in on several
screens. The Elections Event featured a mock election, where
Tunisian guests could vote for McCain, Obama, or a write-in
candidate. The exercise was so popular, the Embassy ran out
of ballots.


3. (C) The Tunisian media and Embassy contacts were clearly
interested in the American presidential candidates
themselves, but their interest spilled over into the
specifics of the American electoral process as well. For
months, the Ambassador and Embassy officers have been
fielding questions on the ins and outs of the caucus system,
primaries, and how states are assigned representatives.
During the Elections Night event itself, Embassy officers
were besieged by people wanted to know more about the
Electoral College, referenda, and the mechanics of
registering and voting. As the results came in, Tunisians

had even more questions about the repercussions of states
voting one way or another and what it meant to be
filibuster-proof in the Senate.


4. (C/NF) Several prominent opposition politicians attended
the Elections Night event. They commented that the American
elections should serve as an example for less democratic
countries (in an oblique reference to their own country,
where President Ben Ali will celebrate 21 years in power on
November 7th). Some said simply, "Inshallah, one day we will
have a democratic process like this in Tunisia." President
Ben Ali released an official statement congratulating
president-elect Obama and hoping for continued cooperation on
"security, stability, and prosperity." Comments left in the
Elections Event guest book were somewhat more effusive,
declaring "long live America" and "what a lesson, real
democracy." Longtime Embassy contact journalist Ridha Kefi
(protect) was somewhat more thoughtful, calling the elections
a, "lesson in courage, humility, generosity, and true
patriotism."


5. (C) As for the results of the elections themselves, the
Tunisian reaction was overwhelmingly positive. The crowd at
the Elections Night event cheered whenever a state was called
for Obama. Headlines on November 5th ranged from "Obama:
Master of the World" to "The American Dream," and "Americans
Vote For Change." Even the Arabic-daily Ash Shourouq, which
rarely has anything positive to say about America or
Americans, featured a front page photo of a smiling Barak
Obama. Many publications also carried features on political
participation such as the French-daily Le Temps story on the
"small lessons of a great democracy" or the ruling Democratic
Constitutional Rally's French-daily Le Renouveau's article on
the record-breaking number of American voters. Several
embassy contacts also expressed a hope for increased
democracy promotion and a plan to end the conflict in Iraq
from the new administration.

--------------
Comment
--------------


6. (C) There's a lot of truth to the saying, "seeing is

believing." The American elections were closely followed by
international media outlets, including pan-Arab satellite
television, thus Tunisians could see for themselves that
Obama won many states by only a few percentage points,
showcasing that each vote does count. The elections
themselves demonstrated that the governed have the power to
choose. If nothing else, this up close and personal look at
Americans exercising their right to vote has given Tunisians
a lot to think about. Tunisians have witnessed the impact of
free and fair elections. Ideally, during their own elections
roughly a year from now, at least some of the lessons they
learned will be applied. End Comment.
GODEC