Tunisia ministers quit new regime

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News 18 January 2011 Last updated at 11:45

Three ministers have withdrawn from the national unity government unveiled only a day ago in Tunisia, reports suggest.

They are reportedly from the General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT), which played a key role in protests which ousted the former president.

PM Mohammed Ghannouchi angered many protesters when he kept several ministers from the former ruling party in their jobs.

The government now admits 78 people died in a month of protests.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12216243

[pampango]

1. BBC: Analysis: Dilemmas of Tunisian transition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12215808

For Tunisia's new interim national unity government, it is going to be a tough job satisfying the political aspirations of the Tunisian public, whilst at the same time restoring the stability which has long been Tunisia's crucial economic asset. There has been much criticism of the composition of the new government.

Opposition leaders have not been allocated any of the key ministries: the defence, interior and foreign portfolios all remain in the hands of figures from the ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD). But whilst it may be tempting to read this as an indication of the insincerity of Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi when he talks of serious political reform, it may also be an unpleasant, but necessary means of preventing a slide into political chaos and economic crisis.

When US forces set up the provisional government in Iraq following the fall of Saddam Hussein, they pushed through a speedy "de-Baathification" of all public institutions, resulting in a rapid spiralling into chaos and instability. To purge the government, ministries and public bodies of old-guard RCD personnel right now would have a similar effect, leaving gaping holes in the management, institutional memory, personal networks and business relationships which are needed to run a country - and an economy - as political transition progresses.

It is absolutely necessary for the new government to give early and detailed indications that reforms of the political party and electoral laws will be initiated sooner rather than later, to make sure that elections - when they come - offer the possibility of a genuine transfer of power. It also needs careful timing: early elections may be necessary to convince people that change is coming, but premature elections without significant reforms to remove the pro-RCD biases will lead to new problems.

[Joanne98]

2. Thousands protest in Tunsia as Union rejects government

TUNIS: Thousands of protesters put Tunisia's new government under pressure Tuesday with activists rejecting the leadership just days after the ouster of the Arab state's former strongman.

Tunisia's largest trade union and other groups have refused to recognise a transitional government that contains eight ministers from the discredited regime of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Key Islamist leader Sadok Chourou, who was imprisoned for 20 years under the old regime, led one of the rallies on the main avenue in central Tunis that was broken up by riot police firing volleys of tear gas.

"The new government does not represent the people and has to fall," said Chourou, 63, ex-leader of the banned Ennahdha (Awakening) movement.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Thousands-protest-in-Tunisia-as-union-rejects-government/articleshow/7312420.cms

[upi402]

5. I think in light of Obama's betrayals...

That a little initial ricketiness is better than re-installing known corrupt advisers.
I'm glad to read what your post reports. Too bad there's a corporate media black-out here. Wonder why?

[loudsue]

3. They need to keep the old ministers on until the transition is stable,

while pairing them with new guard members to help stabilization along.

[Solly Mack]

4. k/r

[Joanne98]

6. Tunisia coalition hits trouble on day two

Source: Reuters

Tunisia's new coalition government hit trouble Tuesday, with three ministers quitting and an opposition party threatening to walk out in protest at the presence of members of the party of the ousted president.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi brought opposition leaders into the coalition Monday after president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia following weeks of street protests. But key figures from the old guard kept their jobs, angering many.

Police in Tunis repeatedly used teargas in an attempt to break up a protest by several hundred opposition party supporters and trade unionists who labeled the new government a "sham." Protesters would scatter, but then regroup to continue.

Several hundred people also protested against the new government in Monastir, south of Tunis.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70D2OV20110118