PUBLISHED BIOGRAPHIES OF TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TUNIS 005510 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL TS SUBJECT: PUBLISHED BIOGRAPHIES OF TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. REF: TUNIS 5480 ¶1. FOLLOWING ARE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW MEMBERS OF THE TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIALS WHO WERE ALREADY IN THE GOVERNMENT BUT MOVED TO A NEW POSITION. ANALYSIS OF THE GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLING IS REPORTED REFTEL. ¶2. NEW MEMBERS OF THE CABINET: --BECHIR TEKKARI, MINISTER OF JUSTICE. BORN IN 1952 IN KSIBET MEDIOUNI (LOCATED IN THE COASTAL SAHEL REGION NEAR THE CITY OF MONASTIR). HE OBTAINED A "BACCALAUREAT" DEGREE (HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA) IN 1970 AND A LAW DEGREE AND PH.D. FROM THE LAW FACULTY OF TUNIS IN 1984. HE ALSO HOLDS A DEGREE FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE OF STRASBOURG, FRANCE. IN 1988, HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR. FROM 1978 TO 1980, HE SERVED AS ATTACHE IN THE CABINET OF THE MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION. FROM 1985 TO 1988, HE WAS DEAN OF THE LAW FACULTY OF SOUSSE AND THEN FOR ONE YEAR DIRECTOR GENERAL AT THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION. IN 1991, HE JOINED THE PRESIDENCY AS ATTACHE. IN JANUARY 1992, HE WAS APPOINTED AS FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COURT AND MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER, SECOND CATEGORY, AWARD. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. --JALLOUL JERIBI, MINISTER OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS. BORN ON JUNE 1, 1950 IN SFAX. HE OBTAINED AN M.A. AND PH.D. IN ISLAMIC STUDIES. IN 1969, HE STARTED HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER AS PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER, THEN BECAME SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER AND FINALLY PROMOTED TO UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR IN 1982. FROM 1992 TO 1995, HE SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF THE HIGHER INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY. IN 1995, HE WAS APPOINTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE "ZEITOUNA" UNIVERSITY (TUNISIA'S PREMIER INSTITUTION OF ISLAMIC LEARNING). HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE HIGHER ISLAMIC COUNCIL SINCE 1990. HE HAS BEEN AN ACTIVIST IN THE RULING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY (RCD) PARTY SINCE 1988. IN 1998 HE OBTAINED A DEGREE FROM THE NATIONAL DEFENSE INSTITUTE OF TUNIS. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER FOURTH CATEGORY AWARD. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. --AHMED IYADH OUEDERNI, MINISTER OF EDUCATION. BORN ON FEBRUARY 19, 1953, IN BEN GUERDANE (LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST OF TUNISIA). HE OBTAINED AN M.A. IN ARABIC FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TUNIS. HE HAS A PH.D. IN LABOR SOCIOLOGY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARSEILLES, FRANCE. IN 1974, HE STARTED HIS CAREER AS PROFESSOR AT THE AGRONOMY SCHOOL OF GROMBALIA, THEN BECAME PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT IN TUNIS IN 1981. IN 1989, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF LABOR AND SOCIAL STUDIES. IN 1990, HE BECAME CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE RULING PARTY (RCD) AND THE FOLLOWING YEAR, HE WAS APPOINTED AS RCD PERMANENT SECRETARY. IN 1994 HE WAS NAMED PRINCIPAL COUNSELOR TO PRESIDENT BEN ALI IN CHARGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS. IN 1995, HE SERVED AS ADVISOR TO THE FOREIGN MINISTER. IN JUNE 1996, HE WAS APPOINTED AGAIN AS PRINCIPAL COUNSELOR AT THE PRESIDENCY. HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE RCD CENTRAL COMMITTEE SINCE 1993. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER SECOND CATEGORY AWARD AND THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. --ABDALLAH KAABI, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE GOVERNMENT. BORN ON SEPTEMBER 26, 1951 IN KAIROUAN. HE HAS A LAW DEGREE FROM THE LAW FACULTY OF TUNIS. IN 1975, HE WAS APPOINTED OFFICER IN THE GOVERNORATE OF MAHDIA AND THEN IN HAMMAM SOUSSE. IN 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS GOVERNOR OF ARIANA (ADJACENT TO THE GOVERNATE OF TUNISIA AND A LARGELY SUBURBAN DISTRICT), AND IN 1990 GOVERNOR OF TUNIS ITSELF. HE WAS ACTIVE IN THE TUNISIAN STUDENTS' UNION WHEN HE WAS STUDENT AT THE LAW FACULTY OF TUNIS. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER SECOND RANK AWARD. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO DAUGHTERS. --CHEDLI LAAROUSSI, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT FUND. BORN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1942 IN MEDENINE (LOCATED IN SOUTHERN TUNISIA). HE HOLDS A DEGREE IN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TUNIS, AND A DEGREE IN RURAL ENGINEERING FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF RURAL ENGINEERING, WATERS AND FORESTS OF PARIS. HE HAS A PH.D. IN SCIENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TOULOUSE, FRANCE. IN 1972, HE WAS NAMED LECTURER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TUNIS AND IN 1982, HE BECAME PROFESSOR OF AGRONOMY. FROM 1974 TO 1976, HE SERVED AS PROFESSOR AT THE NATIONAL AGRONOMIC INSTITUTE OF TUNIS (INAT) AND AS RESEARCHER AT THE INAT WATER RESOURCES CENTER. HE ALSO WAS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND THEN GENERAL MANAGER OF THE NATIONAL COMPANY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH. HE ATTENDED COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 1987-1988. IN 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURAL TRAINING AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE. IN 1990, HE WAS NOMINATED DIRECTOR GENERAL OF WATER RESOURCES AND IN MAY, 1991 AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. IN DECEMBER 1992, HE WAS APPOINTED AS TUNISIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) IN ROME AND WAS ACCREDITED TO THE UN SPECIALIZED AGENCIES IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (FAO, WORLD FOOD PROGRAM AND THE WORLD FOOD COUNCIL). ON MAY 30, 1994, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE. HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL SINCE ¶1991. HE WROTE SEVERAL SCIENTIFIC BOOKS AND SERVED AS GUEST LECTURERS IN MANY FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER SECOND RANK AWARD. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. --MRS. SAMIRA KHAYECH BELHAJ, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HOUSING. BORN ON JUNE 4, 1953 IN TUNIS. SHE HOLDS A DEGREE FROM THE HIGHER INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE. FROM 1980 TO 1984, SHE SERVED AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING AS PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT. FROM 1985 TO 1988, SHE HELD THE POSITION OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND FINANCE. THEN, SHE WENT BACK TO HER FORMER POSITION AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS. IN 1999, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO GENERAL PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT. FROM 1993 TO 1998, SHE WAS MEMBER OF THE RCD CENTRAL COMMITTEE. IN APRIL 1999, SHE WAS ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE TUNISIAN WOMEN'S UNION (UNFT). SHE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THAT ORGANIZATION SINCE 1995. FROM 1990 TO 1995, SHE SERVED AS DEPUTY MAYOR OF TUNIS. SHE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES SINCE 1995, AND HAS SERVED AS HEAD OF THE CHAMBER'S PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION. SHE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER AND NOVEMBER 7 FOURTH SASHES. SHE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. --MRS. NEZIHA ESCHEIKH, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. BORN ON AUGUST 3, 1945 IN TUNIS. SHE EARNED A DEGREE IN PHARMACY FROM THE FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND MEDICINE OF TOULOUSE, FRANCE. SHE STARTED HER PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR (FROM 1976 TO 1983). FROM 1984 TO 1986, SHE SERVED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT THE MINISTRY OF FAMILY AND WOMEN'S AFFAIRS. IN 1987, SHE WORKED AS REGIONAL PHARMACIST INSPECTOR IN BEN AROUS AND ZAGHOUAN AND THEN IN TUNIS FROM 1988 TO 1990. IN 1990, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO THE POST OF CENTRAL PHARMACIST INSPECTOR AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH. IN 1997, SHE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDHOOD AT THE SOCIAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY. SHE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN WOMEN'S UNION (UNFT) EXECUTIVE BOARD SINCE 1995. SHE IS MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL. AS AN EXPERT IN NARCOTICS, SHE SERVED IN THE NATIONAL NARCOTICS BUREAU. SHE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER FOURTH SASH AWARD AND THE HEALTH MERIT. SHE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. --ABDELKRIM ZEBIDI, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY. BORN ON JUNE 25, 1950 IN MAHDIA (LOCATED IN THE EASTERN SAHEL). HE HOLDS A DEGREE IN HUMAN BIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY AND AN M.A. IN PHARMACIST BIOLOGY. HE ALSO HOLDS AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN BIOLOGY AND A PH.D. (1977) IN MEDICINE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LYON, FRANCE, WHERE HE TAUGHT PHYSIOLOGY FROM 1976 TO 1978. FROM 1978 TO 1982, HE SERVED AS ASSISTANT DOCTOR OF PHYSIOLOGY IN TUNIS. IN 1987, HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE POST OF PROFESSOR OF PHYSIOLOGY AT THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF SOUSSE. SINCE 1992, HE HAS SERVED AS AN EXPERT AT THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA). HE IS MARRIED AND HAS A CHILD. ¶3. BIOGRAPHIES OF MINISTERS WHO REMAINED IN THE CABINET, BUT CHANGED POSITIONS: --MOHAMED GHANNOUCHI, PRIME MINISTER. BORN ON AUGUST 18, 1941 IN SOUSSE. UPON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDIES IN SOUSSE, HE OBTAINED A DEGREE IN ECONOMICS FROM THE FACULTY OF LAW AND ECONOMIC SCIENCE IN TUNIS (1966). AFTER A TRAINING PROGRAM AT THE FRENCH MINISTRY OF FINANCE, HE JOINED THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND PLANNING, HOLDING VARIOUS POSITIONS. IN 1975, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF GENERAL PLANNING. IN 1982, HE BECAME DIRECTOR GENERAL OF PLANNING. IN SEPTEMBER, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE, ATTACHED TO THE MINISTER OF PLANNING AND FINANCE, IN CHARGE OF PLANNING. ON OCTOBER 27, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF PLANNING. ON APRIL 11, 1989, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF PLANNING AND FINANCE. ON MARCH 2, 1990, HE BECAME MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE. ON JUNE 9, 1992, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT. HE WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION OF THE LAST FIVE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS. HE HAS BEEN COUNSELOR TO THE TUNISIAN CENTRAL BANK AND MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL. HE ALSO WORKED FOR THE TUNISIAN-KUWAITI DEVELOPMENT BANK AS MANAGER. HE IS WELL- KNOWN IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CIRCLES BECAUSE OF HIS PARTICIPATION SINCE 1975 IN GENERAL ASSEMBLIES OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR. HE TOOK PART IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK. HE IS ALSO DIRECTOR AT THE ARAB PLANNING INSTITUTE. HE JOINED THE RULING SOCIALIST DESTOURIAN PARTY (PSD) WHEN HE WAS YOUNG AND WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN STUDENTS' UNION (UGET). HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE TITLES OF CHEVALIER OF THE ORDER OF INDEPENDENCE, COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND COMMANDER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO CHILDREN. --ABDALLAH KALLEL: MINISTER OF INTERIOR. BORN ON DECEMBER 7, 1943 IN SFAX. UPON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDIES, HE GRADUATED FROM THE LAW FACULTY IN TUNIS AND ALSO EARNED A HIGHER DEGREE FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ADMINISTRATION (ENA). IN THE BEGINNING OF HIS CAREER, HE WAS APPOINTED AS ATTACHE IN THE CABINET OF THE INTERIOR MINISTER IN 1972-73 AND THEN AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS IN 1973-74. FROM 1974 TO 1980, HE WAS CHIEF OF STAFF OF MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. FROM 1980 TO 1986, HE WAS SUCCESSIVELY NAMED PRESIDENT DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES: TUNISIAN TILING COMPANY, TUNISIAN LIME COMPANY AND TUNISIAN BUILDING COMPANY. IN MAY, 1986, HE WAS APPOINTED SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR. ON OCTOBER 27, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR. ON NOVEMBER 7, 1987, WHEN BEN ALI ACCEDED TO THE PRESIDENCY, HE NAMED KALLEL SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE PRESIDENCY. ON APRIL 11, 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE WITH RANK OF MINISTER. ON APRIL 11, 1989, HE WAS PROMOTED TO MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. ON FEBRUARY 20, 1991, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF INTERIOR. ON OCTOBER 10, 1991, HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF MINISTER OF STATE IN THE INTERIOR MINISTRY. (EMBASSY NOTE: MINISTER OF STATE IS A HIGHER POSITION IN TERMS OF PROTOCOL THAN "REGULAR" MINISTERS. IT IS RARELY GIVEN. END NOTE.) ON JANUARY 24, 1995, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF STATE, SPECIAL COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. IN 1996, HE WAS APPOINTED MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE. IN 1997, HE BECAME MINISTER OF JUSTICE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS AGAIN APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF INTERIOR. HE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE RCD, SERVING AS A MEMBER OF THE RULING PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE SINCE 1979. HE WAS DESIGNATED ON DECEMBER 8, 1987, AS MEMBER OF THE RCD POLITBUREAU (TREASURER). HE WAS ELECTED MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES ON APRIL 2, 1989 AND RE-ELECTED IN 1999. HE WAS AWARDED WITH TITLES OF COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND GRAND OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF NOVEMBER 7. HE IS MARRIED AND FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN. --MOHAMED JEGHAM, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. BORN ON AUGUST 8, 1943 IN HAMMAM-SOUSSE (LOCATED IN EASTERN TUNISIA IN THE SAHEL). UPON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDIES IN HAMMAM-SOUSSE AND SOUSSE, HE OBTAINED A DEGREE IN ECONOMIC SCIENCE FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ADMINISTRATION (ENA). FROM 1968 TO 1979, HE SERVED IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AT THE INTERIOR MINISTRY AS REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR ("DELEGUE") IN BEJA (NORTHWEST),GAFSA (SOUTH) AND JENDOUBA (WEST),AS "FIRST DELEGUE" IN TUNIS, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE GOVERNORATE OF BIZERTE (NORTH),AND GOVERNOR OF GABES (SOUTH). FROM 1980 TO 1983, HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT- DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE SAHEL MECHANIC WORKSHOP AND MANAGER OF THE SOUSSE-EL KANTAOUI MARINA/TOURIST DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. THEN, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE REGIONAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR. ON JULY 26, 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HANDICRAFTS. ON JULY 31, 1988, HE BECAME MEMBER OF THE RCD CENTRAL COMMITTEE. ON JANUARY 24, 1995, HE WAS NAMED MINISTER OF INTERIOR. ON JANUARY 20, 1997, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER DIRECTOR OF THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE RCD POLITBURO SINCE JANUARY 1995 AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SINCE 1994. HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE HIGHEST REPUBLIC ORDER SASH AND NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. --HABIB BEN YAHIA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. BORN ON JULY 30, 1938 IN TUNIS. HE GRADUATED IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. IN 1963, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF EMBASSY AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ON FEBRUARY 12, 1964, HE WAS MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN DELEGATION TO THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF O.A.U. FOREIGN MINISTERS, DAR-ES-SALAM. IN MARCH 1967, HE SERVED ON THE AMERICAS DESK AT THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. IN AUGUST 1967, HE BECAME SECOND SECRETARY AND, IN 1970, ECONOMIC COUNSELOR AT THE TUNISIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON. LATER IN 1970 HE BECAME ECONOMIC COUNSELOR AT THE TUNISIAN EMBASSY IN PARIS. IN 1973, HE RETURNED TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AS HEAD OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL COOPERATION DIVISION. IN 1975, HE WAS APPOINTED AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DEPARTMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ON AUGUST 31, 1976, HE WAS APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR TO ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. ON JANUARY 12, 1977, HE SERVED AS AMBASSADOR TO TOKYO, JAPAN. ON NOVEMBER 19, 1981, HE WAS APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES. ON JULY 26, 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ON FEBRUARY 20, 1991, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ON JANUARY 20, 1997, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS NAMED AGAIN FOREIGN MINISTER. HE WAS AWARDED THE TITLE OF COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND COMMANDER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO CHILDREN. --DALI JAZI, MINISTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONS WITH THE PARLIAMENT. BORN ON DECEMBER 7, 1942 IN NABEUL. HE WAS PROFESSOR OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TUNIS. IN 1978, HE, ALONG WITH OTHER POLITICAL FIGURES, FOUNDED AN OPPOSITION PARTY, THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (MDS). AFTER BEN ALI'S ASSUMPTION OF THE PRESIDENCY IN NOVEMBER 1987, HE RESIGNED FROM THE MDS FOLLOWING POLITICAL DISAGREEMENTS WITH MDS OFFICIALS. ON NOVEMBER 12, 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRIA. ON APRIL 11, 1989, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH. ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1989, HE DECIDED TO JOIN THE RULING PARTY (RCD). ON NOVEMBER 16, 1992, HE WAS NOMINATED FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE. ON NOVEMBER 14, 1994, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONS WITH THE PARLIAMENT. HE WAS ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE. (EMBASSY NOTE: THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY DID NOT MENTION JAZI WAS A LEAGUE FOUNDER IN 1975. END NOTE),FIRST AS VICE PRESIDENT IN CHARGE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, AND, FROM 1985 TO 1988, TREASURER, AND THEN SECRETARY GENERAL. HE IS THE AUTHOR OF SEVERAL ARTICLES, INCLUDING "THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE CITIZEN IN INDEPENDENT TUNISIA: THE PROBLEM OF PUBLIC LIBERTIES" (NO PUBLICATION DATE PROVIDED). (EMBASSY NOTE: HE IS WIDELY REPORTED TO BE UNDER TREATMENT FOR EITHER STOMACH OR COLON CANCER.) HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE "GRAND CORDON OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC." HE IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO CHILDREN. --SADOK CHAABANE, MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION. BORN ON FEBRUARY 23, 1950 IN SFAX. IN 1975, HE OBTAINED A PH.D. IN PUBLIC LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCES. IN 1984, HE TAUGHT AT THE LAW FACULTY OF TUNIS AND WAS PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE RULING PARTY (RCD). IN 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF THE STUDIES AND RESEARCH CENTER AT THE FACULTY OF LAW OF TUNIS. HE WAS ALSO PROFESSOR AT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ADMINISTRATION. HE IS AN EXPERT IN INTERNATIONAL LAW, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE SYSTEMS OF INTERNATIONAL ADMINISTRATION RELATED TO THE UN AND THE ARAB LEAGUE. HE HAS LECTURED AT SEVERAL FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES. HE HAS PUBLISHED BOOKS AND ARTICLES ON INTERNATIONAL LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCE. HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE RCD CENTRAL COMMITTEE SINCE 1988. IN MARCH 1990, HE WAS APPOINTED AS TUNISIA'S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ARAB MAGHREB UNION JURIDICAL COMMITTEE. ON NOVEMBER 13, 1990, HE WAS NAMED COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. IN FEBRUARY 1991, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT THE PRIME MINISTRY. IN JUNE 1991, HE WAS BACK AT THE PRESIDENCY AS PRINCIPAL COUNSELOR. FROM JUNE 1992 TO JANUARY 1997, HE SERVED AS MINISTER OF JUSTICE. IN FEBRUARY 1997, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF THE STRATEGIC STUDIES INSTITUTE. (EMBASSY NOTE: THE INSTITUTE IS ATTACHED TO THE PRESIDENCY AND REPORTEDLY CONDUCTS LONG-TERM STRATEGIC STUDIES FOR DOMESTIC POLICY PLANNING. END NOTE) DURING THE 1999 ELECTIONS, HE WAS NAMED CHAIRMAN OF PRESIDENT BEN ALI'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION. HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE HIGHEST SASH OF THE REPUBLIC ORDER AND COMMANDER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. --FETHI MERDASSI: MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT. BORN DECEMBER 11, 1945 IN JENDOUBA. UPON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDIES IN JENDOUBA AND SECONDARY STUDIES IN LE KEF, THEN AT "LYCEE ALAOUI" IN TUNIS, HE OBTAINED THE BACCALAUREATE DEGREE (TUNISIAN AND FRENCH DEGREES) AND ENTERED THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE OF TUNIS. IN 1969, HE GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS. IN 1979, HE OBTAINED A DEGREE FROM PARIS AS A STATISTICIAN- ECONOMIST. HE STARTED HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER AT THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING WHERE HE HELD SEVERAL POSITIONS FROM 1973 TO 1979. IN 1980, HE JOINED THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AS A DEPUTY DIRECTOR, THEN DIRECTOR OF THE PRICE AND ECONOMIC CONTROL DEPARTMENT. FROM 1980 TO 1985, HE SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC COMPANIES AND THEN DIRECTOR GENERAL OF STUDIES AND PLANNING AT THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL ECONOMY. IN 1984, HE WAS APPOINTED AS CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE MINISTER OF ECONOMY. FROM 1985 TO 1991, HE SERVED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE TABARKA MONTAZAH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, THEN MANAGER OF THE MONTAZAH HOTEL (OWNED BY THE TUNISIAN- SAUDI INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (STUSID)). IN JULY, 1992, HE WAS NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE AGENCY FOR THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY (API). ON JUNE 14, 1993, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. ON FEBRUARY 11, 1995, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT. HE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DRAFTING OF SEVERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETS. HE WAS EDITOR OF THE MAGAZINE "CONJONCTURE" FROM 1980 TO ¶1989. HE HAS UNDERTAKEN SEVERAL STUDIES ON THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN TUNISIA. HE JOINED THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL IN MARCH, 1993. HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE HONORS OF "CHEVALIER OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC" AND THE THIRD SASH OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. --SLAHEDDINE CHERIF, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PRESIDENCY. BORN ON NOVEMBER 10, 1937 IN TUNIS. HE HAS A LAW DEGREE FROM THE FACULTY OF LAW OF TUNIS. HE ALSO OBTAINED A DEGREE IN CRIMINOLOGY AND PRIVATE LAW FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS AND ANOTHER ONE FROM THE NATIONAL DEFENSE INSTITUTE OF TUNIS. FROM 1970 TO 1973, HE SERVED AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS. FROM 1974 TO 1981, HE SERVED AS COUNSELOR AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE COURT OF TUNIS. IN 1981, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1986, MR. SLAHEDDINE CHERIF WAS DISMISSED FROM HIS POSITION AS "CHARGE DE MISSION" AT THE PRIME MINISTRY. ON OCTOBER 2, 1986, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE SECTIONS AND CIVIL SERVICE AT THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM. IN 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. IN OCTOBER 1991, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM AND CIVIL SERVICE. IN APRIL 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE GOVERNMENT. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PRESIDENCY. HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE HIGHEST SASH OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND OFFICER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE ALSO HOLDS THE LABOR MEDAL. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS FOUR CHILDREN. --MRS. NEZIHA ZARROUK, MINISTER OF WOMEN'S AND FAMILY AFFAIRS. BORN ON DECEMBER 12, 1946 IN JEMMAL (LOCATED IN THE SAHEL). SHE OBTAINED AN M.A. IN ARABIC LANGUAGE AND TAUGHT LITERARY ARABIC IN VARIOUS SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF TUNIS. SHE JOINED THE RCD AND HELD SEVERAL POSITIONS WITHIN THE PARTY STRUCTURES AT THE LEVEL OF CELLS AND FEDERATIONS. AFTER PRESIDENT BEN ALI'S ACCESSION TO POWER ON NOVEMBER 7, 1987, SHE WAS APPOINTED AS MEMBER OF THE RCD CENTRAL COMMITTEE DURING THE PARTY'S CONGRESS IN 1988. IN 1989, SHE WAS ELECTED MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN WOMEN'S UNION (UNFT) EXECUTIVE BOARD AND CHAIRWOMAN OF THE FEMALE YOUTH ORGANIZATION. SHE WAS ALSO ELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S COUNCIL IN BRUSSELS (1991). IN JANUARY, 1992, SHE WAS NAMED ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE RCD FOR WOMEN'S AFFAIRS, DIRECTING THE PARTY'S PROGRAM FOR WOMEN'S POLITICAL TRAINING. IN AUGUST, 1993, SHE WAS APPOINTED AS MEMBER OF THE RCD POLITICAL BUREAU. ON MARCH 25, 1995, SHE WAS APPOINTED AS JUNIOR MINISTER FOR WOMEN'S AND FAMILY AFFAIRS ATTACHED TO THE PRIME MINISTRY. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HER POSITION WAS UPGRADED TO FULL MINISTER, WITH A SEPARATE MINISTRY. SHE WAS AWARDED THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND THE NOVEMBER 7 MEDAL. SHE IS ALSO COMMANDER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. SHE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. ¶4. BIOGRAPHY OF ABDELAZIZ BEN DHIA, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS MINISTER, BUT WAS HEAD OF THE RULING RCD IN INTERVENING YEARS: --ABDELAZIZ BEN DHIA, MINISTER OF STATE, SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT. BORN ON DECEMBER 19, 1936 IN MOKNINE (LOCATED IN THE SAHEL). AFTER COMPLETING HIS SECONDARY STUDIES AT SADIKI COLLEGE IN TUNIS, HE CONTINUED HIS EDUCATION AT THE INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION OF TUNIS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TOULOUSE WHERE HE EARNED A PH.D. IN LAW IN ¶1967. IN 1971, AFTER WORKING AS ASSISTANT AT THE FACULTY OF LAW AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES IN TUNIS, HE BECAME AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR. IN 1974, HE RETURNED TO SCHOOL TO OBTAIN YET ANOTHER DEGREE, AND ADVANCED DEGREE IN LAW. ON JULY 1, 1977, HE WAS APPOINTED DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF LAW AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES. HE REMAINED AT THIS POSITION UNTIL HIS NOMINATION AS MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1978. ON MAY 5, 1986, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIONAL EDUCATION. ON JULY 30, 1986, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS. ON APRIL 14, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER DIRECTOR OF THE RULING DESTOURIAN SOCIALIST PARTY (PSD),THE RCD'S PRECURSOR. ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS. BUT TWO DAYS LATER, THEN- PRESIDENT BOURGUIBA OUSTED HIM, MAKING ZAKARIA BEN MUSTAPHA MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS. ON DECEMBER 15, 1987, BEN ALI'S ASSUMPTION OF THE PRESIDENCY, HE WAS APPOINTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL. ON OCTOBER 27, 1990, HE WAS APPOINTED AS COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. ON OCTOBER 10, 1991, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. IN JUNE 1996, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTIONAL RALLY (RCD). HE WAS ELECTED AS PARLIAMENTARY DEPUTY DURING THE ELECTIONS OF 1979, 1981 AND 1986. HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE TITLES OF COMMANDER OF THE INDEPENDENCE, REPUBLIC AND NOVEMBER 7 ORDERS. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO CHILDREN. RAPHEL