VZCZCXYZ0011
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #0667 0811104
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221104Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0176

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000667 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/MAG - LAWRENCE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016 
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV TS
SUBJECT: INDEPENDENCE DAY PASSES LARGELY UNNOTICED 
 
REF: TUNIS 666 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM HUDSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Although Tunisia's fiftieth anniversary of 
independence from French rule was marked by official events 
and speeches (reftel), few Tunisians seemed to take 
particular pride in the event.  The country was festively 
decorated, but the public was largely uninvolved in 
celebrations.  A generational divide accounts for some of the 
blas attitude, as the majority of Tunisians were born after 
independence.  However, some private Tunisians also expressed 
their disappointment with the pace of change since 
independence. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Cities throughout Tunisia were decorated with flags 
and banners celebrating the March 20 fiftieth anniversary of 
Tunisia's independence from France in 1956, especially in 
government and ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) 
party offices.  Banners around the country highlighted 
RCD-affiliated groups' support for Ben Ali and his policies, 
including "Long Live Tunisia, Ben Ali and the RCD."  A large 
poster in downtown Tunis featured a photo of Ben Ali and the 
slogan, "Loyalty to the Man of Loyalty," highlighting the 
theme of this year's celebration. 
 
¶3. (C) Despite the decorations and the official 
commemorations of independence, our observations were that 
the Tunisian public paid little attention to the holiday. 
Many took advantage of good weather over the long holiday 
weekend and the beginning of school vacation to enjoy family 
outings.  However, few Tunisians emboffs spoke with expressed 
any particular pride in fifty years of independence.  A 
Berber guide in southern Tunisia told Poloff that he had no 
special plans to commemorate the holiday, but perhaps 
government authorities had organized something in the 
schools. 
 
¶4. (C) Some of the disaffection may result from the 
generational divide in the Tunisian populace, as most 
Tunisians are now under age fifty.  A local radio station 
asked listeners to call in to share their views on 
independence.  One caller in his thirties said that he didn't 
feel strongly about independence since he hadn't lived under 
occupation.  When the presenter asked where he had learned 
about independence, he said mostly in school, rather than 
from family or friends. 
 
¶5. (C) Other Tunisians complained about the feeling that 
Tunisia has made little progress since 1956 and the early 
years of first president Habib Bourguiba's rule.  A 
thirty-year old woman told Poloff that the current lack of 
progress made her, and her peers, feel like the country was 
moving backwards.  Others complained that GOT and RCD control 
over citizens' lives make people feel like there is little 
independence to celebrate.  The 18 October Committee (Ref B) 
tried to organize a demonstration on March 17 in Tunis' 
Independence Square with the slogan, "50 Years of 
Dictatorship: Enough."  One local independent Arabic language 
newspaper headlined its March 17th edition with an article 
titled "Elites monopolize independence."  Indeed, at the 
independence day parade attended by President Ben Ali, 
Ambassador noted mainly elites were present, rather than 
average Tunisians. 
 
¶6. (C) COMMENT: What should have been a milestone of 
nationalism and pride seems to have been just another day off 
to the average Tunisian. This reaction is, in part, 
illustrative of how engaged the man on the street feels with 
his government.  While Ben Ali or the RCD may proclaim that 
democracy is firmly entrenched in Tunisian society, few seem 
to personally relate to this statement. END COMMENT. 
HUDSON