@DavidSecurity

Greetings,

I hope everyone enjoyed their Spring Break and were able to recharge their batteries.

They say “April showers bring may flowers” and  we certainly have received our fair share of rain here in Tunisia so let’s hope this saying proves true.

Below are some informative updates regarding the security situation in Tunisia. 

News Updates…
Info:  French foreign minster in Tunisia to rebuild ties

Source:  StarAfrica-20/4/11

Impact:  French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe offered 350 million euros ($508 million) in aid to Tunisia Wednesday as he sought to rebuild ties strained by French missteps during the country’s popular uprising.  “France deeply hopes to see this movement succeed” and stands “beside Tunisia on every level, political and economic,” he said.

Info:  Libya:  Rebels Seize Border Post Near Tunisia

Source:  The Telegraph 27/4/11

Impact:  Anti-government revolutionaries have seized a post along Libya’s Tunisian border and routed more than 100 troops loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi, according to a rebel leader.

Concern:  Rebels flew their flag above the Wazin post and briefly pursued fleeing loyalist forces into Tunisia before most headed towards the mountainous district of Ghzeya, witnesses said.

Info:  British photographer and his US colleague Chris Hondros killed in Misurata

Source:  The Telegraph -21/4/11

Details:  Oscar-nominated British photographer Tim Hetherington and his US colleague Chris Hondros have been killed while covering the fighting in the Libyan city of Misurata, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

May they rest in peace…

Reading between the lines…

Interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi made several interesting statements during a press conference on April 27th.

Source:  Bernama.com- Headline:  Tunisia’s Caretaker Government Proposes Amendments To Law on Elections

Statements: 

• He voiced concern about the “striking infringements that are taking place in the country, through the repeated sit-ins and demonstrations, which he said was likely to hinder foreign investment.  In this respect, he mentioned the obstacles to the progress of enterprises and institutions, blocking of roads and railway lines, and the phenomenon of illegal immigration.”
• He announced that Tunisia had been invited by the Group of 8 (G8) most industrialized countries to attend its next summit in France, adding that “this is a cause of pride for all Tunisians” and a testimony of the international consideration that Tunisia is enjoying.
• He reasserted the Interim Government’s pledge to respect the date of July 24, 2011 for the holding of those elections, which, he argued, is reasonable, insisting that “if there are some sides who want to postpone holding of that event, the Government will not shoulder any responsibility in that case.”
• He stated that “the revolution is not democracy by itself, but the gateway for democracy”, further elaborating that the revolution could lead to disorder and confrontation, in the same way as it leads to the healthy democratic transition; so that Tunisia be a model worth following.

This concludes this week’s update, let’s stay in touch and share information because…

We are all in this together.