And the West breathes a sigh of relief.
"Islamist party withdraws from Tunisia talks" by Associated Press / June 28, 2011
TUNIS — Tunisia’s leading Islamist party announced yesterday that it is pulling out of a commission that is preparing the country for its first elections after the ouster of the country’s longtime dictator in a popular revolt.
The pullout is the latest sign of tension between Tunisia’s emerging political forces as they struggle to decide what the country will look like after decades of autocratic rule.
The Islamist Ennahda Party leader Rachid Ghannouchi said that many of the members of the High Commission for Political Reforms and Democratic Transition had been trying to demonize his party, warning of dire consequences if it came to power.
"Islamists" demonized? Surely you jest!
“Some are trying to sound alarms and present Ennahda like an ogre threatening the rights of women and tourism,’’ he said, describing “a harassment seeking to exclude the movement or even set up new trials like those held by the [Zine El Abidine] Ben Ali regime against the Islamists.’’
What, is Tunisia dropping missiles and bombs on Muslim women, too?
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Now where can the West find someone else like their guy:
"A court yesterday convicted the former Tunisian president of smuggling drugs, guns, and archeological artifacts and sentenced him to 15 ½ years in prison in the latest trial in absentia of the deposed autocrat.
Yup, he's one of ours!
Former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali will also be fined $72,000. The verdict follows a trial two weeks ago in which he and his wife each received sentences of 35 years in prison and $64 million in fines for embezzlement and other charges. Authorities say another 91 charges remain just for the civil courts.
That confirms he is one of ours.
Ben Ali ruled Tunisia with an iron hand for more than two decades before fleeing to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14, after a monthlong popular uprising that heralded the start of a wave of protests for greater freedoms across the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia has declined to answer Tunisia’s request to extradite the former president.
And isn't making a stink about it?
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