Brussels, 28/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton commented, only two hours after Mohammed Ghannouchi's decision on Sunday night: “I take note of the decision by Tunisian Prime Minister M. Ghannouchi to resign. I commend his sense of responsibility, so as to avoid further violence.” He will be replaced by a former minister from the Bourguiba epoch, Beji Caïd Essebsi, but his name is already being challenged by the powerful general trade union. Ever greater numbers of Tunisians have been protesting over the past few days with thousands in the street to express their disgust with the political and institutional decisions taken by the transition government and disliked largely because nobody has taken the trouble to explain what is going on to the people in the street. Tunisians quickly felt that the transition government headed by Ghannouchi was more concerned about saving the political system, getting rid of its most visible leaders but a system hated by the people, rather than dealing with more urgent problems. Tempers are running high and five people were killed at the weekend. Some people, including Ghannouchi himself in statements made after his resignation, say that the situation is being exacerbated by secret manoeuvrings, hinting that those responsible were members of the old regime whose loyalists are still active in the country. Tunisian newspapers say the situation is similar to that during the Romanian Revolution.
“The transitional government must ensure a rapid and smooth transition. The objective is a lasting transformation that delivers deep democracy and full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The future lies firmly in the hands of the Tunisian people”, said Catherine Ashton, adding that she hoped that Ghannouchi's resignation “will prevent any further tension and will allow the present transition phase to proceed in a peaceful and stable way. In this context, I want to welcome the announcement by the Tunisian authorities that elections will take place before mid July.” The election date was announced in Tunis on Friday but without specifying whether these would be general elections or presidential elections. Backed by lawyers, Tunisians are increasingly demanding the setting up of a national committee to safeguard the revolution and are calling for the election of a constituent assembly because any new president will have at his or her disposal the old constitutions and the institutions that were so useful to Ben Ali in keeping a stranglehold over the country. “It is important that a democratically elected government emerges from these elections to address the political, economic and social challenges faced by the country”, said Ashton.
In an interview with Tunisian media, the EU's ambassador in Tunis, Adrianus Koetsenruijter, said that it was not easy to negotiate with a transition government. Political agreements on things like “advanced status” can only be signed with a legitimate government that has been democratically elected. He said, however, that talks were able to start and he had promised to consult with civil society in Tunisia, meaning not only defenders of human rights but also economic operators, farmers and people representing families that are suffering in the country. He said that talks would be held over “advanced status” in several regions, to understand people's expectations, starting with Sidi Bouzid, the eye of the revolution that is rolling out across the entire Arab world at the moment. (F.B./transl.fl)