By Imran Garda
Al-Jazeera
"........'Constructive leadership'
Al-Jazeera
"........'Constructive leadership'
A visit to Tunisia by defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld in February 2006 proves even more revealing:
"We have a very long relationship with Tunisia," Rumsfeld remarked after the meetings.
"Tunisia is a moderate Muslim nation that has been and is today providing very constructive leadership in the world. The struggle that's taking place within that faith is a serious one, an important one. There's a very small number of violent extremists on the one side against a broad, overwhelming majority of people who are moderate." And with regards those within the government’s ruling elite that US officials called “The Family” in one of the WikiLeaks, who it was said are above the law in the country, Rumsfeld had a glowing reference, "They have demonstrated, if one looks at this successful country...the ability to create an environment that's hospitable to investment, to enterprise, and to opportunity for their people." Hardly sounds like the type of country whose people's economic desperation would lead to self-immolation. He spoke of a "very constructive military and diplomatic co-operation" between the two nations.
"We have a very long relationship with Tunisia," Rumsfeld remarked after the meetings.
"Tunisia is a moderate Muslim nation that has been and is today providing very constructive leadership in the world. The struggle that's taking place within that faith is a serious one, an important one. There's a very small number of violent extremists on the one side against a broad, overwhelming majority of people who are moderate." And with regards those within the government’s ruling elite that US officials called “The Family” in one of the WikiLeaks, who it was said are above the law in the country, Rumsfeld had a glowing reference, "They have demonstrated, if one looks at this successful country...the ability to create an environment that's hospitable to investment, to enterprise, and to opportunity for their people." Hardly sounds like the type of country whose people's economic desperation would lead to self-immolation. He spoke of a "very constructive military and diplomatic co-operation" between the two nations.
“Both of our countries have been attacked by violent extremists, so we know well the stakes involved in the struggle that's being waged.
“Tunisia has long been an important voice of moderation and tolerance in this region, and has played a key role in confronting extremists not just within this country, but in the area as well."
“Tunisia has long been an important voice of moderation and tolerance in this region, and has played a key role in confronting extremists not just within this country, but in the area as well."
The Associated Press news agency quoted Rumsfeld as saying Tunisia was a “democracy”, but that it was moving “at different paces” on the social, economic and political levels......"
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