Essebsi: Post-revolution transition is much more difficult

Post-revolution transition is much more difficult that building-up news states, affirmed Interim Prime Minister Béji Caïd Essebsi, on a working visit in the United States October 3-7. Addressing on Tuesday a conference on ''New steps on the way of democracy and prosperity in Tunisia'' held at the premises of the World Bank in Washington and attended by Tunisian, Arab and foreign students and academics living in the United States, he reckoned that Tunisia, birthplace of the Arab spring, is now much better than before. He also said that the Tunisian revolution had sparked off thanks to youths living in underprivileged areas, youths without arms nor ideology, political guidance or leadership, to scream "freedom and dignity." The former regime, he added, had left out these areas for a long time, disregarded inland areas, ruled the country by fire and by sword and wasted its resources. Speaking of the current Interim Government, the PM said it had relatively managed to carry out its duty in view of the difficult conditions of its mission and the time pressure. This government, he stated, has managed to work out an ambitious social and economic five-year-plan and provide 50 000 jobs in spite of a growth rate close to 0% since the revolution. The Interim Government, he added, has worked out an economic programme likely to reduce unemployment which affects 600 000 people through the creation of 100 000 jobs a year. The achievement of this objective, he reckoned, is conceivable in light of the improvement of security and investment in the country, knowing that 80% of state funds are now allocated to inland areas compared with only 20% before. Mr. Béji Caïd Essebsi also affirmed "The schooling rate, the prime position of women in society and in public life and investment in human resources are as many assets which make the success of Tunisia," stressing that the Tunisians are now aware that the country's interest is above any other interest. The final aim of our government, he went on saying, is to enable Tunisia to arrive safe and sound, through free and transparent elections for the constituent assembly. Broadcast live through videoconference, a debate with participants in Washington and Tunisia, allowed to look at means to overcome the economic difficulties the country is living through and to enquire about the Tunisian people's stand with regard to the issue of separation of religion and state. The PM explained that this issue is out of date since Tunisia is a muslim and open state that respects all the religions.