SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!! After a Revolution that began some three years ago with the sudden flight of Tunisias longtime autocratic president, Ziabeddine Ben Ali, Tunisia has seen their Revolution go in ebbs and flow. Far too often, the foreign media covering Tunisia has used the same lens to cover Tunisia that it has used in covering other countries of the media-dubbed Arab Spring. Moments ago, Tunisias Constitutional Assembly, which includes 216 members representing political persuasions from Islamists, unionist and secularists, voted. The last two months in particular have been very trying for many here in Tunisia, as each day members parsed and debated over various clauses being put forth by different factions of what would then become, the new Constitution! While during these months, emotions often ran high, there has never been a period of violent confrontations. Rather, Tunisians both in the Constitutional Assembly and civilians outside of the Assembly, debated the issues in cafes, on the vibrant media and in homes. One does not have to understand Arabic to see what Tunisia accomplished today! Of the 216 members of the Constitution, 200 voted YES to ratify the Constitution. This means that 200 members representing a diversity of backgrounds, opinions and constituencies, found a way through civility and negotiations to come to agreement. The images in the video below show a unified country, standing for their nation with tremendous maturity to have achieved such a consensus, particularly in a country where three years ago such openness of expression, such candid debate was simply not possible. Tunisia has set an example of what patience, civility and dialogue can do. Today is a day that not only can all Tunisians stand in harmony, despite the diverse views that remain, but this small North African nation, which is predominantly Muslim and Arab, has shown the world that Democracy is truly taking place in Tunisia. What the future brings is of course, still to be determined. But to achieve todays results, the odds are clearly in favor of Tunisia successfully tackling the many challenges that face a nascent democracy. As an American who resides most of the year in Tunisia, I share the pride in Tunisia and congratulate Tunisians on the success of their achievement. This overwhelming ratification of their Constitution serves not only as a barometer for other hopeful democracies, but should also show members of the U.S. Congress that their dogmatic partisanship interferes with their democratic responsibility to their constituents. Enjoy this video, as it truly captures an historic milestone. Im very proud to be in Tunisia today! Jerry Sorkin Founder and President TunisUSA You do not need to understand Arabic to understand this video!!!
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 07:44:24 +0000