50 th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic : "We are proud that Tunisia was among the first countries which had known since olden time, advanced forms of government based on participation and institutions” says President Ben Ali.
Tunis , July 25, 2007
In an address delivered on the occasion of Tunisia 's 50 th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali said that the establishment of the Republic in Tunisia had “materialized the notions of citizenship for all Tunisians, men and women, making the people the decisive reference in the management of the country's affairs”.
He noted that “It is a happy coincidence that we celebrate this year the 50 th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic as well the 20 th anniversary of the Change.”
Referring to Aristotle's tribute in his Politics to the Constitution of Carthage, President Ben Ali expressed his pride in the fact that “ Tunisia was among the first countries which had known since olden time, advanced forms of government based on participation and institutions”.
The Head of State also highlighted some of the achievements of the November 7 th Change, “a civilizational project”, which notably rehabilitated the Republican system, expanded the legislative referendum, established the principle of constitutional referendum in 1997 and in 2002 introduced amendments guaranteeing human rights, the rule of law, pluralism and anchoring solidarity.
President Ben Ali called on the media “to be more daring in addressing various issues” and so that they reflect more closely the concerns of citizens and meet the challenge of international competition.
He also announced the expansion of the pilot experience of digital television, in such a way as to cover 90% of the country by 2009 and the transformation of “Channel 21”, a terrestrial broadcast TV channel, into a satellite Channel as of next November.
Insofar as granting further attention to research and innovation, the Tunisian President also stressed the need of “ granting further attention to research and innovation in all sectors, as well as intensifying the care offered to creative people and to those having innovative ideas or projects.”
He insisted on that “the acquisition of sciences and knowledge and creativity in all fields of literature, arts and culture, can be achieved only within a climate of freedom, democracy, pluralism in which human rights are safeguarded, and relations are based upon entente, tolerance, consensus and mutual respect”.
Concluding his address, President Ben said that “the celebration of the 50 th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic is indeed a major landmark of promoting the system of reform, development and modernization upon which we have founded our civilizational project”.
During a ceremony held on this occasion, President Ben Ali honored several senior officials and cadres , as well as civil society and opposition party figures, for their contribution to strengthening the foundations of the Republican regime and the promotion and reinforcement of its achievements.
