few days before the last presidential and legislative elections in Tunisia, the Association of Students at Sciences Po for the Arab World (AMP) chaired by Selim Ben Hassen, had created event bringing together representatives of the opposition and power for a day of discussion around "The Tunisian question on the eve of presidential and legislative elections of 2009."
On paper, the day promised to be interesting, even historic. And to some extent it was. Indeed, the guest list were leaders son of the main protagonists of these elections, and the usual suspects of Tunisian civil society. This has led some to call it, wrongly, as "sitting in opposition." The stated aim, since the outset, the organizers, was to foster debate between the opposition and the "Plan".
And it is a significant novelty. Some representatives "respectable" of the plan have agreed to play the game I must say they had no choice. Organizers refused usual trouble maker: spooks disguised and other opponents of the Stakhanovists waffle Borhan Bsayess such that, for the record, had not supported and went pouring out his frustrations on all media "friends" who wished him well.
With some defections, including those of Ahmed Brahim party candidate Ettajdid finally represented by Samir Mokhtar Yahyaoui and Taieb, private passport and sensible act through a video recording, all guests were present for discussions that lasted more than 8 hours and scroll saw in the amphitheater of Sciences Po over 300 listeners.
Selim Ben Hassen
I met at Sciences Po in this interview gives us the underbelly of this landmark event:
Why a conference on Tunisia, why at Sciences Po and Selim Ben Hassen why you?
A conference on Tunisia because of the elections just months away, I saw that everybody was willing to discuss elections and to give advice, but nobody intend to do something concrete. Why at Sciences Po? First, because it was quite clear that such initiatives could not take place in Tunisia, and then because the school I belong to me has agreed to make available all resources for this conference or successful. Selim Ben Hassen Why? Because I am a citizen believes it has obligations to his country ..
How have past contacts with the government and opposition?
Both sides were very courteous and was very well received, and the share of power, and from the opposition. I met with both parties and interesting people, but still quite skeptical about the possibility of organizing such an event, where the regime and opposition would discuss together for the first time. The result gave me reason is mostly what counts.
there were conditions on the part of the power or the opposition to participate in this debate?
Contrary to what you might think, many more conditions on behalf of the opposition from power. This is rather unfortunate is that they focused primarily on the ability to speak before or longer than this or that comrade. In terms of power, once the scheme realized that I was determined that this conference into being, instead they played the game, even if they could send a larger number of stakeholders.
In the initial program, the holdings of Hama Hammami, Ahmed Brahim Mokhtar Yahyaoui and (through a video testimonial) were planned. The first was unable to travel to Tunis, why the latter two have finally retracted?
It is their must ask the question. But for the Ettajdid, Samir Taieb which replaced Brahim was honorably discharged its task.
Most guests have traveled from Tunisia, which supported the travel costs?
I do not know who funded the travel of each, but we have not supported the speakers for travel and accommodation .
The conference lasted nearly 8 hours, why did you choose to show only 50min?
The idea was to have a photograph of the political situation in Tunisia in 2009. 50 minutes is a documentary format that allows scanning satisfactorily a complex subject. The video montage is of course subjective, but it reflects how many Tunisians perceive politics of their country.
Who do you think was the guest the most difficult to manage?
I will not answer this question, but the video certainly will.
And what was the best intervention?
There were many good presentations. I appreciated that Chedly Ben Younes, a lawyer who came to bring the conflict to the views of the opposition. Even if I disagreed on the merits, the speech was structured and precise.
In hindsight, do you think that this conference was helpful?
I would not have done if I had a moment thought she would not be useful. I especially believe that the video will Tunisians to realize what is happening in their country to avoid saying in a few years, they did not know.
Interview by Malek Khdhraoui
Selim Ben Hassen
who managed this feat, decided to publish the pictures of the day and makes us the pleasure of choosing Nawaat.org to disseminate, exclusively, a summary of 50 minutes. For reasons of convenience we present them in 3 parts.
Meanwhile the first part we will disseminate Monday, February 22, you are now in book four short excerpts:
Malek Khdhraoui
Stranger
www.nawaat.org
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