Crucial issues come to the fore

Parliaments in a number of Arab countries recently witnessed significant developments. In Tunisia, President Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali called for a referendum to amend the constitution to extend the presidential term.

The referendum won him more than 99 per cent of the votes. The referendum also provides for other changes including a bicameral legislature and a two-round vote for presidency.

Meanwhile, in Kuwait, both the popular and the Islamic blocs submitted a request to question the Kuwaiti Minister of Finance, Dr Yousuf Al Ibrahim, for misuse of public funds. The issue was placed on the parliament's agenda for debate next month.

The two blocs want clarification from Dr Al Ibrahim about reforms made to the social security scheme, alleged distribution of public funds during elections to benefit certain groups, failure to implement a law to move large numbers of Kuwaiti state employees to the private sector, and changes in the terms and conditions of a state housing soft loan for Kuwaiti management of huge foreign investments under the auspices of the Kuwait Investment Authority which he heads. The Arab press discussed these developments and their implications.

No one can deny that Tunisia has witnessed substantial economic growth due to the reforms undertaken by President Ben Ali since his bloodless coup in 1987, writes Bishara Sharbel in Al Hayat (UK- based).

Ben Ali overthrew his predecessor, Habib Bourguiba, after declaring him senile. His first step was to abolish the concept of president–for–life and to limit the duration of the office to three terms of five years each.

The question which needs to be asked is whether a constitutional amendment can establish a solid basis for democracy and guarantee a normal change of power, comments Sharbel.

The proposed amendment of half of the 78 articles of the constitution cannot obscure the three main changes which will allow President Ben Ali to run for another five-year term in 2004, besides raising the age limit for presidential candidates from 70 to 75.

This new age limit will allow him to stand for a fifth term in 2009. Finally, the amendment gives the president immunity from prosecution during and after his term. All these changes will extend the status quo for another 27 years, adds Sharbel.

The results of the referendum were predictable, since President Ben Ali scored 99 per cent of the votes during the last presidential elections in 1999.

In fact, the content of the campaign for the referendum did not differ much from that of the presidential elections. The campaign was mainly oriented towards issues such as the diversification of the economy, control of demographic trends and opposition to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, concludes Sharbel.

Khairallah Khairallah writes in Al Rai Al Aam (Kuwait) that the government of Ben Ali has pursued the policy of modernisation undertaken by his predecessor Bourguiba. Indeed, the country has experienced great changes under his rule.

Tunisia is now seen as a modern country where woman participate in public life and where the educational system keeps pace with the technological revolution the world is witnessing.
The parties opposing the referendum should analyse the amendments carefully, because then they will notice that the new constitution ensures political plurality and defends the basic rights of every citizen, adds Khairallah.

The wave of protests Tunisia is facing is a direct result of the country's success reflected in its stability and high economic indicators which have excited the envy of many of its enemies, concludes Khairallah.

On the other hand, in Kuwait, the request for permission to question the minister was presented before parliament. But the Kuwaiti government has warned that it will step down if the issue ends in a vote of no-confidence in the minister. While some Members of Parliament (MPs) were warned that such a measure could lead to the dissolution of the parliament and new elections, Dr Al Ibrahim's supporters said that he is a practical reformer and that most of these allegations predate his appointment as finance minister.

This issue was discussed by Al Qabas (Kuwait) in its editorial comment which says that the questioning of Dr. Al Ibrahim, whatever the result might be, does not prioritise the national interests of Kuwait. It does not aim at applying the constitution or enhancing democracy in Kuwait. Rather, it aims at retaliation and achieving the self-interests of different groups, opines Al-Qabas.

The process of questioning that is carried out in Kuwait relates to issues other than the performance of ministers. Indeed, there is great hostility towards any reforms implemented in the country.

There are many political groups that fear losing their popularity and influence over the government if reforms are implemented, adds Al-Qabas.

The crisis does not relate to a certain minister but to the absence of a lucid understanding of the functioning of the ruling system.

Had such a comprehensive vision been in place to counter such politicised questioning, the country would never have reached this state of total paralysis and these blocs would not have succeeded in ending the reforms, says Al-Qabas.

We back all reformists irrespective of their ideologies and as such we hope that the government's support to Al-Ibrahim and the defence of his achievements are not mere political ploys but the result of a clear vision. Otherwise, we will not have any reformers in the country. Kuwait needs a government that defends its achievements and not one that threatens people with resignation or dissolution of the national assembly, concludes Al-Qabas.

Conversely, Abdul Amir Al Turki writes in Al-Seyassah (Kuwait) that despite the political controversy and threats of the government's resignation, the questioning of the minister is an excellent political, democratic and constitutional action.

We should get used to such democratic practices and constitutional rights as long as such actions are carried out with transparency and for the benefit of the supreme national interests of Kuwait, and not to serve the interests of certain political factions or retaliation against certain groups, adds Al Turki.

Thus, we don't want anyone to stop short in the middle of this new path, including the minister himself. We want him to respond to these questions at least to prove that there is nothing wrong with the questioning process and that it is being carried out to evaluate his role and not out of revenge because he is a liberal, says Al Turki.