SEMI-INDEPENDENT OPPOSITION PARTY SAYS RULING

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000863 SIPDIS NEA/MAG (NARDI/STEWART); DRL (JOHNSTONE/KLARMAN) LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS SUBJECT: SEMI-INDEPENDENT OPPOSITION PARTY SAYS RULING PARTY NEEDS TO BE MORE OPEN REF: A. TUNIS 859 ¶B. TUNIS 851 Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In a July 30 meeting with A/DCM, Ahmed Brahim, First Secretary of the opposition at-Tajdid (Renewal) Party, argued that Tunisia's ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) Party needs to allow increased political participation and greater freedom of expression. Brahim outlined his party's concerns regarding the 2009 legislative and presidential elections, emphasizing the need for more transparency in the process and equal access to the media. Asked whether he would run as at-Tajdid's candidate, Brahim suggested he would, if he is able to campaign freely. End Summary. -------------- GOT Loosing Its Grip? -------------- ¶2. (C) Though the ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) maintains a strong economic and political grip on Tunisia, recently the semi-independent, formerly communist opposition at-Tajdid (Renewal) party has publicly challenged some of the RCD's decisions. During a July 30 meeting with A/DCM, Ahmed Brahim, First Secretary of at-Tajdid, complained of "complete paralysis" in the political realm because of the RCD's grip on power. He continued that the RCD should "let citizens participate in public life, and not just be subjects." For this to happen, however, Tunisia has significant challenges to overcome, such as stringent restrictions on freedom of association and freedom of expression, and that doing so requires GOT cooperation. While he would like the government to be more open, Brahim clarified that his party's goal is to act as a true opposition party (as opposed to the loyal opposition parties). At-Tajdid has tried to act as an umbrella group for ideologically similar, but unregistered, political parties and also brands itself as a home for independent intellectuals. -------------- It's My Party, and I'll Invite Who I Want To -------------- ¶3. (C) Realistically, remarked Brahim, preserving Tunisia's stability requires the RCD to stay in power. That said, he also argued that current government policy was strangling the country, and preventing it from evolving into a true democracy. Brahim opined that the RCD "has no tolerance for differences" and pointed out that of all the parties represented in parliament, his was the only one not to receive an invitation to the RCD Party congress (Ref A). At-Tajdid has also faced more serious repercussions for its semi-independence than not being invited to the political event of the season. On July 23, the party attempted to host a debate about the unemployment protests in Gafsa, but Brahim said over 30 members of Tunisian security forces blocked all access points to the party headquarters where the debate was to be held. Though the independent Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Democratic Forum for Liberty and Labor (FDTL) often complain of security forces disrupting or preventing their meetings, it is rare for the government to treat an opposition party with representatives in parliament in the same manner. -------------- It's Not Me, It's You -------------- ¶4. (C) Brahim also criticized the government for blaming the people of Gafsa for the unrest in the region, rather than openly acknowledging and addressing the causes of unemployment in the area. He argued that the GOT has cut off all channels of communication, instead of developing the region, easing repression, and allowing people to vote freely. The people of Gafsa, opined Brahim, live with an unemployment rate three times the official national average, and simply want their leaders to listen to them. The effects of the measures Ben Ali announced on July 16 (Ref B) to promote development in the region, said Brahim, won't be felt for three to five years. Brahim opined that people were confused by the President's initiative as they were expecting measures with more timely results. He was dismissive of government allegations that protestors attacked security forces with molotov cocktails, saying that he knew of no evidence to support the government's assertion. Instead of blaming the protestors, he added, the GOT should release the approximately 200 people it has arrested since January as they were merely engaged in civil disobedience. Brahim said he sent a letter to President Ben Ali in February, about the situation in Gafsa, but that he had received no response. -------------- Many Voices, but Only One that Matters -------------- ¶5. (C) At-Tajdid has not yet declared Brahim's candidacy for the 2009 presidential elections, though he does have the right to run under the newly passed candidacy law (Ref A). Brahim emphasized that, even though Ben Ali is guaranteed to win a fifth term, he would be willing to run if he felt he could campaign freely. He felt the elections could be a platform for a discussion about pluralism. Tunisia has all the elements necessary for a democracy, Brahim opined, such as a well-educated population, a strong record of women's rights, and a solid economy. The missing element, according to Brahim, is freedom of expression, coupled with severe restrictions on freedom of expression and media access. The ability to campaign is more important than the elections themselves, explained Brahim, because the MOI assigns votes to each party, regardless of the actual vote. ¶6. (C) "Tunisia should know (real) elections one time in its existence," said Brahim, going on to list the various problems with elections. In addition to problems with voter registration in Tunisia, he questioned why the Ministry of Interior (MOI) continues to administer elections, and noted that even though opposition parties have the right to have representatives at polling stations, they lack the numbers to sufficiently monitor the proceedings. He also complained that there is a lack of transparency in the electoral process. Brahim took particular issue with the MOI's use of ballots that are color-coded by party. Some citizens, he noted, are too afraid to choose the ballots for any party other than the RCD, least the MOI polling official notice the "wrong" color and deem them "disloyal." -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) We have reported regularly on the difficulties faced by independent opposition parties, but our Brahim's comments show that even those parties that are close to the government do not enjoy freedom of maneuver. Growing numbers of Tunisians are asking for a greater say in their future, and Tunisia's opposition parties and advocacy groups would be happy to give them a platform for debate. We are planning several programs during the US electoral season that will showcase the role of healthy political debate in society. End Comment. GODEC