Islam has no relation with terrorism. “The history of our noble religion is indeed punctuated with attitudes and examples of dialogue and wisdom that best illustrate our noble civilization, its lofty values, and its infinite goodness toward men and mankind as a whole,” Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has said.
While underscoring the need to spare innocent lives in the struggle against terrorism, the president has emphasized that Tunisia, the land of the Zeitouna Mosque and Kairouan — whose economy remained sound throughout 2000 — would pursue its efforts in this direction, with determination and assurance, so that the logic of understanding and dialogue prevails over the logic of conflict and confrontation. “For Islam is a religion of moderation that reproves violence and extremism and advocates peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding,” says the president who has made statements from time to time on combating terrorism and extremism, especially in the post-Sept. 11 situation.
“As we reiterate our condemnation of all forms of terrorism, we stress that this shock must not undermine the noble values that make up the underpinnings of the various civilizations, mainly the values of dialogue, tolerance and understanding, so as to keep mankind from being swept by the spiral of confrontation and strife.
There’s no doubt that addressing the challenges faced by the world, chiefly terrorism, dictates that we unite our efforts, step up cooperation and solidarity between countries and peoples with a view to addressing the root causes of despair and destitution. Such causes pave the way for all forms of extremism, which in turn breed violence and terrorism and sow the seeds of fanaticism and hate. We should thus contain the hotbeds of tension, fight poverty and destitution worldwide to make the new century one of peace, tolerance and development.” The president reminded that since the early 1990’s, his country had been warning about the dangers of extremism and seclusion, and their train of violence and terrorism. “We’ve also called for the need to stand up to such phenomena and to address their root causes, following a comprehensive approach within the framework of the UN, taking into consideration the need for a peaceful solution to pending international issues, chiefly of the Middle East, ensuring that the Palestinians recover their full national rights.”
He said his country stands as an example for many others to follow. “Within the rule of law, we’ve managed to implement a comprehensive solution with which we’ve removed the dangers of terrorism and violence and consolidated the underpinnings of freedom and democracy. In addition, we’ve consistently striven, within the framework of the UN and of regional organizations and international groupings, as well as with our brothers, friends and partners, to consolidate all that could serve the principles of fraternity and peace in the world, help address extremism and its causes, and combat terrorism.”
Tunisia condemned the criminal attacks against the US on Sept. 11. That was the day the world situation received a severe blow that was unavoidably to have multiple repercussions. “As we reiterate our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, as well as our feelings of sympathy and solidarity with the American people and the families of the victims, we wish to stress that this shock, however violent, should not shatter the noble values on which universal civilizations were constructed and on which international conventions and pacts were established: The values of dialogue, tolerance and understanding lest humanity should be drawn into a spiral of confrontation and hatred between civilizations and religions.
“In our country, we have endeavored to contain the dangers of extremism and erected a project for civilization founded on the notion of golden mean, moderation, tolerance and solidarity...just those values advocated by Islam in which it joins the other religions,” he stressed.
Way back in June 1993, the president renewed the country’s proposal for concluding a Euro-Maghreb Charter that would protect the rights and define the duties of Maghrebian communities in Europe. “If we manage to combine our initiatives toward the commitment to human rights and their protection demands, we’ll be in a position to eliminate the root-causes of extremism, fanaticism and racism, and build solid relations between us based on cooperation and mutual understanding,” he said.
In this context, he emphasized the need for a firm commitment to the high principles and objectives set forth in the OAU Charter, notably those related to good neighborly relations, non-interference in domestic affairs, mutual respect and the renewed commitment to condemning and fighting all forms of extremism and terrorism — whether religious, ethnical or racial.”
Meanwhile, despite the effects of unfavorable conditions from abroad and a fairly difficult agricultural year, Tunisia’s economy remained sound throughout 2000, thanks to structural reforms, increasing openness to the world economy, stable macroeconomic fundamentals, promotion of private initiative and consolidation of social harmony.
Economic growth reached 4.7 percent in real terms compared to 6.1 percent in 1999, despite a drop in agriculture and fishing (-1 percent Vs. 11.6 percent), attributable in large part to a 40 percent decrease in cereal production, which fell from 18.1 million to 10.9 million quintals.
This expansion is four times the 1.2 percent demographic growth rate, well above the performance of most of Tunisia’s main partner and competitor countries. The average growth rate over the first four years of the 9th Plan was 5.3 percent annually, very near the 5.8 percent target.
Excluding agriculture and fishing the economic growth rate went up in real terms from 5.2 percent in 1999 to 5.7 percent in 2000. This progress was achieved by manufacturing industries, especially textiles and leather/footwear and mechanical and electrical industries — the two main export sectors — along with communications.
The pace of growth in tourism and transportation was down, notably air transportation affected by the overall slowdown in tourism and tougher international competition.
More diversified economic activity was one element of growth, as were enhanced external demand (particularly from EU countries) and ongoing gains in competitiveness.
This is reflected in the World Economic Forum’s 2000 classification of Tunisia as the most competitive African nation. This situation has helped the country in pursuit of its further improvements in macroeconomic balances.
(Mohammad Al Hadi Teraiki is a well-known Tunisian writer who focuses on domestic and international issues.)
