"Tunisia, Gateway to Modernity," new book in tribute to President Ben Ali's work.

Tunisia and its successes were honoured, on Monday in Geneva, as part of two conferences, the first held at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva, conducted by Guy Mettan, Geneva MP and future speaker of the city's parliament; and the second at Geneva businessmen club, chaired by Mrs. Testa Enza Haegi.<p>Around French journalist, FranE*ois BE[umlaut]cet, author of "Tunisie, Porte Ouverte sur la ModernitE[umlaut]" (Tunisia, Gateway to Modernity), published in September in France and his colleague Antoine Sfeir, Director of "Les Cahiers de l'Orient" magazine which had devoted its last issue to Tunisia through a report titled "The Tunisian Exception," Swiss and international journalists as well as those of press accredited to the United Nations and several figures from the Swiss economic and academic spheres, reviewed the different aspects of Tunisia's success over the past twenty two years.

After having opened, at the Swiss Press Club, the first conference on "Different Views of Tunisia," Mr. Guy Mettan then, gave the floor to Mr. Antoine Sfeir, whose speech focused on: "Tunisia, a Country that Works."

Mr. Sfeir underlined the multiple the country's achievements in different areas, such as ducation and health, economic growth and the numerous solidarity mechanisms created by President Ben Ali to redistribute equitably the fruits of economic growth within society as testified by, among others, the continuous expansion of the middle class which now represents 80% of the population.

Mr. Sfeir also stressed the driving role played by the Tunisian State which has managed to assume efficiently its missions to serve citizens and shield people against the instrumentalisation of Islam, which caused so many devastations elsewhere.

Outlining some articles of the report dedicated to Tunisia by his magazine, Mr. Sfeir explained the reasons behind the Tunisian people's attachment to back up their leader thanks to whom they entered, for the last two decades, an unprecedented era of stability in its history.

He also stressed the patriotism of all Tunisians who, while making use of their critical sense if need be, reject all attempts to distort realities by some opposition sides masterminded from the outside.

Mr. Sfeir concluded saying that, though Tunisia has a small geographical size, it is a country that works and excels in many areas and one that could serve as model to many other countries, as it has scored so many successes only by relying on one basic material: its citizens' intelligence.

Director of "Cahiers de l'Orient," who authored the preface of FranE*ois BE[umlaut]cet's book, made it a point to castigate some western "lesson teachers" who are bent on harming Tunisia, while it is a rare example on the African continent and in the region, of a country that works and progresses in all areas.

FranE*ois BE[umlaut]cet then introduced his recent work "Tunisia, Porte Ouverte sur la ModernitE[umlaut]" (Tunisia, Gateway to Modernity), stressing the "single way chosen by President Ben Ali," a typically Tunisian way which helped develop his country while seeking to redistribute its wealth. The author emphasised some characteristics of the Tunisian development model and its largely positive results which are underlined by many of the most renowned international institutions and world rating institutes, whose impartiality cannot be disputed.

Another ceremony to present FranE*ois BE[umlaut]cet's book was also held, in the afternoon at the Geneva Richemond Hotel, providing the two authors with the opportunity to make a presentation on the model of inter-dependent and fair development implemented in Tunisia by President Ben Ali.

The same book, published by "Le Cherche Midi" publishing house, was the focal point of a meeting held, on Tuesday, at the Paris-based Arab World Institute, with attendance of several journalists and personalities.

Opening this meeting, Mr. Philippe HE[umlaut]raclE s, chairman of "Le Cherche Midi," reminded that the book was aimed to present the reader with the opportunity to make an economic, political and social discovery of Tunisia, all these aspects at the same time, and that the book owed very much its success to the author himself, FranE*ois BE[umlaut]cet, who offers readers a comprehensive presentation of Tunisia, as well as key to better understand it, away from all reductionist stereotypes. A country that forges ahead steadily on the path of modernity.

Taking the floor, Mr. FranE*ois BE[umlaut]cet said that through the book he wished to describe the new Tunisia, which, since the November 7, 1987 Change, has witnessed a remarkable progress at the political, economic and social planes.

According to the author, three key words account for this success: prudence, courage and solidarity. A success that has not spared it hardships, but the latter acted as an invitation to strive every nerve to take up the new challenges posed, such as employment, of which President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali has made a national priority.

Reminding that he was eager to testify to the efforts made to modernise the country to restore a more balanced view of development in Tunisia, Mr BE[umlaut]cet praised the "courage and wisdom of President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, who has bet on the Tunisian people's well-being by managing to hoist his country to the highest steps of international economic rankings, particularly in terms of good governance or at the level of public money management."

"With this book, which took me two years to write, I wanted to pay homage to modern Tunisia and express my attachment to the country and its people," the author concluded. The work, an illustrated 148-page book, was distributed to all the guests who were able to discover, in particular, illustrations and photos from special reports for this title.

The guests exchanged views with the attending journalists, namely from AFP, l'Alsace, Jeune Afrique, Afrique Asie, Radio France Maghreb, RTL, Radio France inter, Europe 1.

Tap 2009

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