Cablegate: Published Biographies of Tunisian Government

R 161439Z DEC 99
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2454

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TUNIS 005510

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL TS
SUBJECT: PUBLISHED BIOGRAPHIES OF TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS.

REF: TUNIS 5480

1. FOLLOWING ARE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW MEMBERS OF THE
TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIALS WHO WERE ALREADY IN THE
GOVERNMENT BUT MOVED TO A NEW POSITION. ANALYSIS OF THE
GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLING IS REPORTED REFTEL.

2. NEW MEMBERS OF THE CABINET:

--BECHIR TEKKARI, MINISTER OF JUSTICE. BORN IN 1952 IN
KSIBET MEDIOUNI (LOCATED IN THE COASTAL SAHEL REGION NEAR
THE CITY OF MONASTIR). HE OBTAINED A "BACCALAUREAT" DEGREE
(HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA) IN 1970 AND A LAW DEGREE AND PH.D.
FROM THE LAW FACULTY OF TUNIS IN 1984. HE ALSO HOLDS A
DEGREE FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE OF STRASBOURG,
FRANCE. IN 1988, HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF UNIVERSITY
PROFESSOR. FROM 1978 TO 1980, HE SERVED AS ATTACHE IN THE
CABINET OF THE MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION. FROM 1985 TO
1988, HE WAS DEAN OF THE LAW FACULTY OF SOUSSE AND THEN FOR
ONE YEAR DIRECTOR GENERAL AT THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER
EDUCATION. IN 1991, HE JOINED THE PRESIDENCY AS ATTACHE.
IN JANUARY 1992, HE WAS APPOINTED AS FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE COURT AND MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL
COUNCIL. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER, SECOND CATEGORY,
AWARD. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN.

--JALLOUL JERIBI, MINISTER OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS. BORN ON
JUNE 1, 1950 IN SFAX. HE OBTAINED AN M.A. AND PH.D. IN
ISLAMIC STUDIES. IN 1969, HE STARTED HIS PROFESSIONAL
CAREER AS PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER, THEN BECAME SECONDARY
SCHOOL TEACHER AND FINALLY PROMOTED TO UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
IN 1982. FROM 1992 TO 1995, HE SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF THE
HIGHER INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY. IN 1995, HE WAS APPOINTED AS
PRESIDENT OF THE "ZEITOUNA" UNIVERSITY (TUNISIA'S PREMIER
INSTITUTION OF ISLAMIC LEARNING). HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE
HIGHER ISLAMIC COUNCIL SINCE 1990. HE HAS BEEN AN ACTIVIST
IN THE RULING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY (RCD) PARTY
SINCE 1988. IN 1998 HE OBTAINED A DEGREE FROM THE NATIONAL
DEFENSE INSTITUTE OF TUNIS. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER
FOURTH CATEGORY AWARD. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE
CHILDREN.

--AHMED IYADH OUEDERNI, MINISTER OF EDUCATION. BORN ON
FEBRUARY 19, 1953, IN BEN GUERDANE (LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST
OF TUNISIA). HE OBTAINED AN M.A. IN ARABIC FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF TUNIS. HE HAS A PH.D. IN LABOR SOCIOLOGY FROM
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARSEILLES, FRANCE. IN 1974, HE STARTED
HIS CAREER AS PROFESSOR AT THE AGRONOMY SCHOOL OF GROMBALIA,
THEN BECAME PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT IN TUNIS IN 1981. IN
1989, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF LABOR
AND SOCIAL STUDIES. IN 1990, HE BECAME CHIEF OF STAFF OF
THE RULING PARTY (RCD) AND THE FOLLOWING YEAR, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS RCD PERMANENT SECRETARY. IN 1994 HE WAS NAMED
PRINCIPAL COUNSELOR TO PRESIDENT BEN ALI IN CHARGE OF HUMAN
RIGHTS. IN 1995, HE SERVED AS ADVISOR TO THE FOREIGN
MINISTER. IN JUNE 1996, HE WAS APPOINTED AGAIN AS PRINCIPAL
COUNSELOR AT THE PRESIDENCY. HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE RCD
CENTRAL COMMITTEE SINCE 1993. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC
ORDER SECOND CATEGORY AWARD AND THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS
MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN.

--ABDALLAH KAABI, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE GOVERNMENT. BORN
ON SEPTEMBER 26, 1951 IN KAIROUAN. HE HAS A LAW DEGREE FROM
THE LAW FACULTY OF TUNIS. IN 1975, HE WAS APPOINTED OFFICER
IN THE GOVERNORATE OF MAHDIA AND THEN IN HAMMAM SOUSSE. IN
1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS GOVERNOR OF ARIANA (ADJACENT TO
THE GOVERNATE OF TUNISIA AND A LARGELY SUBURBAN DISTRICT),
AND IN 1990 GOVERNOR OF TUNIS ITSELF. HE WAS ACTIVE IN THE
TUNISIAN STUDENTS' UNION WHEN HE WAS STUDENT AT THE LAW
FACULTY OF TUNIS. HE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER SECOND
RANK AWARD. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO DAUGHTERS.

--CHEDLI LAAROUSSI, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE NATIONAL
EMPLOYMENT FUND. BORN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1942 IN MEDENINE
(LOCATED IN SOUTHERN TUNISIA). HE HOLDS A DEGREE IN
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TUNIS, AND A
DEGREE IN RURAL ENGINEERING FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF
RURAL ENGINEERING, WATERS AND FORESTS OF PARIS. HE HAS A
PH.D. IN SCIENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TOULOUSE, FRANCE.
IN 1972, HE WAS NAMED LECTURER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TUNIS
AND IN 1982, HE BECAME PROFESSOR OF AGRONOMY. FROM 1974 TO
1976, HE SERVED AS PROFESSOR AT THE NATIONAL AGRONOMIC
INSTITUTE OF TUNIS (INAT) AND AS RESEARCHER AT THE INAT
WATER RESOURCES CENTER. HE ALSO WAS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND
THEN GENERAL MANAGER OF THE NATIONAL COMPANY FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH. HE ATTENDED COLORADO STATE
UNIVERSITY 1987-1988. IN 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR
OF AGRICULTURAL TRAINING AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE. IN
1990, HE WAS NOMINATED DIRECTOR GENERAL OF WATER RESOURCES
AND IN MAY, 1991 AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE MINISTER OF
AGRICULTURE. IN DECEMBER 1992, HE WAS APPOINTED AS
TUNISIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
ORGANIZATION (FAO) IN ROME AND WAS ACCREDITED TO THE UN
SPECIALIZED AGENCIES IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (FAO, WORLD
FOOD PROGRAM AND THE WORLD FOOD COUNCIL). ON MAY 30, 1994,
HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE. HE
HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL SINCE
1991. HE WROTE SEVERAL SCIENTIFIC BOOKS AND SERVED AS GUEST
LECTURERS IN MANY FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES. HE RECEIVED THE
REPUBLIC ORDER SECOND RANK AWARD. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS
THREE CHILDREN.

--MRS. SAMIRA KHAYECH BELHAJ, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
HOUSING. BORN ON JUNE 4, 1953 IN TUNIS. SHE HOLDS A DEGREE
FROM THE HIGHER INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE. FROM 1980 TO
1984, SHE SERVED AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING
AS PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT. FROM 1985 TO 1988, SHE HELD THE
POSITION OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE
MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND FINANCE. THEN, SHE WENT BACK TO
HER FORMER POSITION AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS. IN
1999, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO GENERAL PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT. FROM
1993 TO 1998, SHE WAS MEMBER OF THE RCD CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
IN APRIL 1999, SHE WAS ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE TUNISIAN
WOMEN'S UNION (UNFT). SHE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE
BOARD OF THAT ORGANIZATION SINCE 1995. FROM 1990 TO 1995,
SHE SERVED AS DEPUTY MAYOR OF TUNIS. SHE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF
THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES SINCE 1995, AND HAS SERVED AS HEAD
OF THE CHAMBER'S PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION. SHE RECEIVED THE
REPUBLIC ORDER AND NOVEMBER 7 FOURTH SASHES. SHE IS MARRIED
AND HAS THREE CHILDREN.

--MRS. NEZIHA ESCHEIKH, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC
HEALTH. BORN ON AUGUST 3, 1945 IN TUNIS. SHE EARNED A
DEGREE IN PHARMACY FROM THE FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND MEDICINE
OF TOULOUSE, FRANCE. SHE STARTED HER PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN
THE PRIVATE SECTOR (FROM 1976 TO 1983). FROM 1984 TO 1986,
SHE SERVED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT THE MINISTRY OF FAMILY AND
WOMEN'S AFFAIRS. IN 1987, SHE WORKED AS REGIONAL PHARMACIST
INSPECTOR IN BEN AROUS AND ZAGHOUAN AND THEN IN TUNIS FROM
1988 TO 1990. IN 1990, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO THE POST OF
CENTRAL PHARMACIST INSPECTOR AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC
HEALTH. IN 1997, SHE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF THE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDHOOD AT THE
SOCIAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY. SHE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE
TUNISIAN WOMEN'S UNION (UNFT) EXECUTIVE BOARD SINCE 1995.
SHE IS MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL. AS AN
EXPERT IN NARCOTICS, SHE SERVED IN THE NATIONAL NARCOTICS
BUREAU. SHE RECEIVED THE REPUBLIC ORDER FOURTH SASH AWARD
AND THE HEALTH MERIT. SHE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE
CHILDREN.

--ABDELKRIM ZEBIDI, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY. BORN ON JUNE 25, 1950 IN MAHDIA
(LOCATED IN THE EASTERN SAHEL). HE HOLDS A DEGREE IN HUMAN
BIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY AND AN M.A. IN PHARMACIST BIOLOGY.
HE ALSO HOLDS AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN BIOLOGY AND A PH.D.
(1977) IN MEDICINE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LYON, FRANCE,
WHERE HE TAUGHT PHYSIOLOGY FROM 1976 TO 1978. FROM 1978 TO
1982, HE SERVED AS ASSISTANT DOCTOR OF PHYSIOLOGY IN TUNIS.
IN 1987, HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE POST OF PROFESSOR OF
PHYSIOLOGY AT THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF SOUSSE. SINCE
1992, HE HAS SERVED AS AN EXPERT AT THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC
ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA). HE IS MARRIED AND HAS A CHILD.

3. BIOGRAPHIES OF MINISTERS WHO REMAINED IN THE CABINET, BUT
CHANGED POSITIONS:

--MOHAMED GHANNOUCHI, PRIME MINISTER. BORN ON AUGUST 18,
1941 IN SOUSSE. UPON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
SCHOOL STUDIES IN SOUSSE, HE OBTAINED A DEGREE IN ECONOMICS
FROM THE FACULTY OF LAW AND ECONOMIC SCIENCE IN TUNIS
(1966). AFTER A TRAINING PROGRAM AT THE FRENCH MINISTRY OF
FINANCE, HE JOINED THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND PLANNING,
HOLDING VARIOUS POSITIONS. IN 1975, HE WAS APPOINTED AS
DIRECTOR OF GENERAL PLANNING. IN 1982, HE BECAME DIRECTOR
GENERAL OF PLANNING. IN SEPTEMBER, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED
AS SECRETARY OF STATE, ATTACHED TO THE MINISTER OF PLANNING
AND FINANCE, IN CHARGE OF PLANNING. ON OCTOBER 27, 1987, HE
WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF PLANNING. ON APRIL 11, 1989,
HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF PLANNING AND FINANCE. ON
MARCH 2, 1990, HE BECAME MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE.
ON JUNE 9, 1992, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT. HE WAS
ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION OF THE LAST FIVE
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS. HE HAS BEEN
COUNSELOR TO THE TUNISIAN CENTRAL BANK AND MEMBER OF THE
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL. HE ALSO WORKED FOR THE
TUNISIAN-KUWAITI DEVELOPMENT BANK AS MANAGER. HE IS WELL-
KNOWN IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CIRCLES BECAUSE OF HIS
PARTICIPATION SINCE 1975 IN GENERAL ASSEMBLIES OF THE
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR. HE TOOK PART
IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND THE
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK. HE IS ALSO DIRECTOR AT THE
ARAB PLANNING INSTITUTE. HE JOINED THE RULING SOCIALIST
DESTOURIAN PARTY (PSD) WHEN HE WAS YOUNG AND WAS AN ACTIVE
MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN STUDENTS' UNION (UGET). HE WAS
AWARDED WITH THE TITLES OF CHEVALIER OF THE ORDER OF
INDEPENDENCE, COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND
COMMANDER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS
TWO CHILDREN.

--ABDALLAH KALLEL: MINISTER OF INTERIOR. BORN ON DECEMBER
7, 1943 IN SFAX. UPON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
SCHOOL STUDIES, HE GRADUATED FROM THE LAW FACULTY IN TUNIS
AND ALSO EARNED A HIGHER DEGREE FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF
ADMINISTRATION (ENA). IN THE BEGINNING OF HIS CAREER, HE
WAS APPOINTED AS ATTACHE IN THE CABINET OF THE INTERIOR
MINISTER IN 1972-73 AND THEN AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS
IN 1973-74. FROM 1974 TO 1980, HE WAS CHIEF OF STAFF OF
MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. FROM 1980 TO 1986, HE WAS
SUCCESSIVELY NAMED PRESIDENT DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE
FOLLOWING COMPANIES: TUNISIAN TILING COMPANY, TUNISIAN LIME
COMPANY AND TUNISIAN BUILDING COMPANY. IN MAY, 1986, HE WAS
APPOINTED SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR. ON
OCTOBER 27, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE AT
THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR. ON NOVEMBER 7, 1987, WHEN BEN ALI
ACCEDED TO THE PRESIDENCY, HE NAMED KALLEL SECRETARY OF
STATE AT THE PRESIDENCY. ON APRIL 11, 1988, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE WITH
RANK OF MINISTER. ON APRIL 11, 1989, HE WAS PROMOTED TO
MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. ON FEBRUARY 20, 1991, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF INTERIOR. ON OCTOBER 10, 1991, HE
WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
INTERIOR MINISTRY. (EMBASSY NOTE: MINISTER OF STATE IS A
HIGHER POSITION IN TERMS OF PROTOCOL THAN "REGULAR"
MINISTERS. IT IS RARELY GIVEN. END NOTE.) ON JANUARY 24,
1995, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF STATE, SPECIAL
COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. IN 1996, HE WAS
APPOINTED MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE. IN 1997,
HE BECAME MINISTER OF JUSTICE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS
AGAIN APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF INTERIOR. HE IS AN ACTIVE
MEMBER OF THE RCD, SERVING AS A MEMBER OF THE RULING PARTY
CENTRAL COMMITTEE SINCE 1979. HE WAS DESIGNATED ON DECEMBER
8, 1987, AS MEMBER OF THE RCD POLITBUREAU (TREASURER). HE
WAS ELECTED MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES ON APRIL 2,
1989 AND RE-ELECTED IN 1999. HE WAS AWARDED WITH TITLES OF
COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND GRAND OFFICER OF
THE ORDER OF NOVEMBER 7. HE IS MARRIED AND FATHER OF THREE
CHILDREN.

--MOHAMED JEGHAM, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. BORN ON
AUGUST 8, 1943 IN HAMMAM-SOUSSE (LOCATED IN EASTERN TUNISIA
IN THE SAHEL). UPON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
SCHOOL STUDIES IN HAMMAM-SOUSSE AND SOUSSE, HE OBTAINED A
DEGREE IN ECONOMIC SCIENCE FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF
ADMINISTRATION (ENA). FROM 1968 TO 1979, HE SERVED IN
VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AT THE INTERIOR MINISTRY AS REGIONAL
ADMINISTRATOR ("DELEGUE") IN BEJA (NORTHWEST), GAFSA (SOUTH)
AND JENDOUBA (WEST), AS "FIRST DELEGUE" IN TUNIS, SECRETARY
GENERAL OF THE GOVERNORATE OF BIZERTE (NORTH), AND GOVERNOR
OF GABES (SOUTH). FROM 1980 TO 1983, HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT-
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE SAHEL MECHANIC WORKSHOP AND MANAGER
OF THE SOUSSE-EL KANTAOUI MARINA/TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT. THEN, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE
REGIONAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR. ON
JULY 26, 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF TOURISM AND
HANDICRAFTS. ON JULY 31, 1988, HE BECAME MEMBER OF THE RCD
CENTRAL COMMITTEE. ON JANUARY 24, 1995, HE WAS NAMED
MINISTER OF INTERIOR. ON JANUARY 20, 1997, HE WAS APPOINTED
AS MINISTER DIRECTOR OF THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET. ON
NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIONAL
DEFENSE. HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE RCD POLITBURO SINCE
JANUARY 1995 AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SINCE 1994. HE WAS
AWARDED WITH THE HIGHEST REPUBLIC ORDER SASH AND NOVEMBER 7
ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN.

--HABIB BEN YAHIA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. BORN ON
JULY 30, 1938 IN TUNIS. HE GRADUATED IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE
AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. IN
1963, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF EMBASSY AT THE
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ON FEBRUARY 12, 1964, HE WAS
MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN DELEGATION TO THE EXTRAORDINARY
MEETING OF O.A.U. FOREIGN MINISTERS, DAR-ES-SALAM. IN MARCH
1967, HE SERVED ON THE AMERICAS DESK AT THE SECRETARIAT OF
STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. IN AUGUST 1967, HE BECAME SECOND
SECRETARY AND, IN 1970, ECONOMIC COUNSELOR AT THE TUNISIAN
EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON. LATER IN 1970 HE BECAME ECONOMIC
COUNSELOR AT THE TUNISIAN EMBASSY IN PARIS. IN 1973, HE
RETURNED TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AS HEAD OF THE
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL COOPERATION DIVISION. IN 1975, HE
WAS APPOINTED AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION DEPARTMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
ON AUGUST 31, 1976, HE WAS APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR TO ABU
DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. ON JANUARY 12, 1977, HE SERVED
AS AMBASSADOR TO TOKYO, JAPAN. ON NOVEMBER 19, 1981, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES. ON JULY 26,
1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE MINISTRY
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ON FEBRUARY 20, 1991, HE WAS APPOINTED
AS MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ON JANUARY 20, 1997, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. ON NOVEMBER 17,
1999, HE WAS NAMED AGAIN FOREIGN MINISTER. HE WAS AWARDED
THE TITLE OF COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND
COMMANDER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS
TWO CHILDREN.

--DALI JAZI, MINISTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, COMMUNICATION AND
RELATIONS WITH THE PARLIAMENT. BORN ON DECEMBER 7, 1942 IN
NABEUL. HE WAS PROFESSOR OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCE AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF TUNIS. IN 1978, HE, ALONG WITH OTHER
POLITICAL FIGURES, FOUNDED AN OPPOSITION PARTY, THE SOCIAL
DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (MDS). AFTER BEN ALI'S ASSUMPTION OF
THE PRESIDENCY IN NOVEMBER 1987, HE RESIGNED FROM THE MDS
FOLLOWING POLITICAL DISAGREEMENTS WITH MDS OFFICIALS. ON
NOVEMBER 12, 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR TO
AUSTRIA. ON APRIL 11, 1989, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF
PUBLIC HEALTH. ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1989, HE DECIDED TO JOIN
THE RULING PARTY (RCD). ON NOVEMBER 16, 1992, HE WAS
NOMINATED FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING
OFFICE. ON NOVEMBER 14, 1994, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER
OF HIGHER EDUCATION. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED
AS MINISTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONS
WITH THE PARLIAMENT. HE WAS ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN
HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE. (EMBASSY NOTE: THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
DID NOT MENTION JAZI WAS A LEAGUE FOUNDER IN 1975. END
NOTE), FIRST AS VICE PRESIDENT IN CHARGE OF EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS, AND, FROM 1985 TO 1988, TREASURER, AND THEN
SECRETARY GENERAL. HE IS THE AUTHOR OF SEVERAL ARTICLES,
INCLUDING "THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE
CITIZEN IN INDEPENDENT TUNISIA: THE PROBLEM OF PUBLIC
LIBERTIES" (NO PUBLICATION DATE PROVIDED). (EMBASSY NOTE:
HE IS WIDELY REPORTED TO BE UNDER TREATMENT FOR EITHER
STOMACH OR COLON CANCER.) HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE "GRAND
CORDON OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC." HE IS MARRIED AND HAS
TWO CHILDREN.

--SADOK CHAABANE, MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION. BORN ON
FEBRUARY 23, 1950 IN SFAX. IN 1975, HE OBTAINED A PH.D. IN
PUBLIC LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCES. IN 1984, HE TAUGHT AT
THE LAW FACULTY OF TUNIS AND WAS PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE
RULING PARTY (RCD). IN 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR
OF THE STUDIES AND RESEARCH CENTER AT THE FACULTY OF LAW OF
TUNIS. HE WAS ALSO PROFESSOR AT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF
ADMINISTRATION. HE IS AN EXPERT IN INTERNATIONAL LAW,
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE SYSTEMS OF INTERNATIONAL
ADMINISTRATION RELATED TO THE UN AND THE ARAB LEAGUE. HE
HAS LECTURED AT SEVERAL FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES. HE HAS
PUBLISHED BOOKS AND ARTICLES ON INTERNATIONAL LAW AND
POLITICAL SCIENCE. HE HAS BEEN MEMBER OF THE RCD CENTRAL
COMMITTEE SINCE 1988. IN MARCH 1990, HE WAS APPOINTED AS
TUNISIA'S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ARAB MAGHREB UNION JURIDICAL
COMMITTEE. ON NOVEMBER 13, 1990, HE WAS NAMED COUNSELOR TO
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. IN FEBRUARY 1991, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT
THE PRIME MINISTRY. IN JUNE 1991, HE WAS BACK AT THE
PRESIDENCY AS PRINCIPAL COUNSELOR. FROM JUNE 1992 TO
JANUARY 1997, HE SERVED AS MINISTER OF JUSTICE. IN FEBRUARY
1997, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF THE STRATEGIC STUDIES
INSTITUTE. (EMBASSY NOTE: THE INSTITUTE IS ATTACHED TO THE
PRESIDENCY AND REPORTEDLY CONDUCTS LONG-TERM STRATEGIC
STUDIES FOR DOMESTIC POLICY PLANNING. END NOTE) DURING THE
1999 ELECTIONS, HE WAS NAMED CHAIRMAN OF PRESIDENT BEN ALI'S
RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE
WAS APPOINTED MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION. HE WAS AWARDED
WITH THE HIGHEST SASH OF THE REPUBLIC ORDER AND COMMANDER OF
THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN.

--FETHI MERDASSI: MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND
FOREIGN INVESTMENT. BORN DECEMBER 11, 1945 IN JENDOUBA.
UPON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDIES IN JENDOUBA AND
SECONDARY STUDIES IN LE KEF, THEN AT "LYCEE ALAOUI" IN
TUNIS, HE OBTAINED THE BACCALAUREATE DEGREE (TUNISIAN AND
FRENCH DEGREES) AND ENTERED THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE OF TUNIS.
IN 1969, HE GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS. IN
1979, HE OBTAINED A DEGREE FROM PARIS AS A STATISTICIAN-
ECONOMIST. HE STARTED HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER AT THE
MINISTRY OF PLANNING WHERE HE HELD SEVERAL POSITIONS FROM
1973 TO 1979. IN 1980, HE JOINED THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE
AS A DEPUTY DIRECTOR, THEN DIRECTOR OF THE PRICE AND
ECONOMIC CONTROL DEPARTMENT. FROM 1980 TO 1985, HE SERVED
AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC COMPANIES AND THEN DIRECTOR GENERAL OF
STUDIES AND PLANNING AT THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL ECONOMY.
IN 1984, HE WAS APPOINTED AS CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE MINISTER
OF ECONOMY. FROM 1985 TO 1991, HE SERVED AS DIRECTOR
GENERAL OF THE TABARKA MONTAZAH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT,
THEN MANAGER OF THE MONTAZAH HOTEL (OWNED BY THE TUNISIAN-
SAUDI INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (STUSID)). IN
JULY, 1992, HE WAS NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE AGENCY FOR THE
PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY (API). ON JUNE 14, 1993, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. ON
FEBRUARY 11, 1995, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE
FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS. ON
NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT. HE
CONTRIBUTED TO THE DRAFTING OF SEVERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETS.
HE WAS EDITOR OF THE MAGAZINE "CONJONCTURE" FROM 1980 TO
1989. HE HAS UNDERTAKEN SEVERAL STUDIES ON THE ECONOMIC
SITUATION IN TUNISIA. HE JOINED THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL IN MARCH, 1993. HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE HONORS OF
"CHEVALIER OF THE ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC" AND THE THIRD SASH
OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER.

--SLAHEDDINE CHERIF, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PRESIDENCY.
BORN ON NOVEMBER 10, 1937 IN TUNIS. HE HAS A LAW DEGREE
FROM THE FACULTY OF LAW OF TUNIS. HE ALSO OBTAINED A DEGREE
IN CRIMINOLOGY AND PRIVATE LAW FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS
AND ANOTHER ONE FROM THE NATIONAL DEFENSE INSTITUTE OF
TUNIS. FROM 1970 TO 1973, HE SERVED AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS. FROM 1974 TO 1981, HE
SERVED AS COUNSELOR AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE COURT OF TUNIS.
IN 1981, HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1986, MR. SLAHEDDINE
CHERIF WAS DISMISSED FROM HIS POSITION AS "CHARGE DE
MISSION" AT THE PRIME MINISTRY. ON OCTOBER 2, 1986, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE SECTIONS AND
CIVIL SERVICE AT THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL SERVICE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM. IN 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED AS
SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. IN
OCTOBER 1991, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM AND CIVIL SERVICE. IN APRIL 1999, HE
WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE GOVERNMENT. ON
NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HE WAS APPOINTED AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF
THE PRESIDENCY. HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE HIGHEST SASH OF THE
ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND OFFICER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER.
HE ALSO HOLDS THE LABOR MEDAL. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS FOUR
CHILDREN.

--MRS. NEZIHA ZARROUK, MINISTER OF WOMEN'S AND FAMILY
AFFAIRS. BORN ON DECEMBER 12, 1946 IN JEMMAL (LOCATED IN
THE SAHEL). SHE OBTAINED AN M.A. IN ARABIC LANGUAGE AND
TAUGHT LITERARY ARABIC IN VARIOUS SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF
TUNIS. SHE JOINED THE RCD AND HELD SEVERAL POSITIONS WITHIN
THE PARTY STRUCTURES AT THE LEVEL OF CELLS AND FEDERATIONS.
AFTER PRESIDENT BEN ALI'S ACCESSION TO POWER ON NOVEMBER 7,
1987, SHE WAS APPOINTED AS MEMBER OF THE RCD CENTRAL
COMMITTEE DURING THE PARTY'S CONGRESS IN 1988. IN 1989, SHE
WAS ELECTED MEMBER OF THE TUNISIAN WOMEN'S UNION (UNFT)
EXECUTIVE BOARD AND CHAIRWOMAN OF THE FEMALE YOUTH
ORGANIZATION. SHE WAS ALSO ELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S COUNCIL IN BRUSSELS (1991). IN
JANUARY, 1992, SHE WAS NAMED ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL OF
THE RCD FOR WOMEN'S AFFAIRS, DIRECTING THE PARTY'S PROGRAM
FOR WOMEN'S POLITICAL TRAINING. IN AUGUST, 1993, SHE WAS
APPOINTED AS MEMBER OF THE RCD POLITICAL BUREAU. ON MARCH
25, 1995, SHE WAS APPOINTED AS JUNIOR MINISTER FOR WOMEN'S
AND FAMILY AFFAIRS ATTACHED TO THE PRIME MINISTRY. ON
NOVEMBER 17, 1999, HER POSITION WAS UPGRADED TO FULL
MINISTER, WITH A SEPARATE MINISTRY. SHE WAS AWARDED THE
ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC AND THE NOVEMBER 7 MEDAL. SHE IS ALSO
COMMANDER OF THE NOVEMBER 7 ORDER. SHE IS MARRIED AND HAS
THREE CHILDREN.

4. BIOGRAPHY OF ABDELAZIZ BEN DHIA, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED
AS MINISTER, BUT WAS HEAD OF THE RULING RCD IN INTERVENING
YEARS:

--ABDELAZIZ BEN DHIA, MINISTER OF STATE, SPECIAL ADVISER TO
THE PRESIDENT. BORN ON DECEMBER 19, 1936 IN MOKNINE
(LOCATED IN THE SAHEL). AFTER COMPLETING HIS SECONDARY
STUDIES AT SADIKI COLLEGE IN TUNIS, HE CONTINUED HIS
EDUCATION AT THE INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION OF TUNIS AND
THE UNIVERSITY OF TOULOUSE WHERE HE EARNED A PH.D. IN LAW IN
1967. IN 1971, AFTER WORKING AS ASSISTANT AT THE FACULTY OF
LAW AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES IN TUNIS, HE BECAME AN ASSISTANT
PROFESSOR. IN 1974, HE RETURNED TO SCHOOL TO OBTAIN YET
ANOTHER DEGREE, AND ADVANCED DEGREE IN LAW. ON JULY 1,
1977, HE WAS APPOINTED DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF LAW AND
ECONOMIC SCIENCES. HE REMAINED AT THIS POSITION UNTIL HIS
NOMINATION AS MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1978. ON MAY 5, 1986, HE WAS
APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIONAL EDUCATION. ON JULY 30,
1986, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS. ON
APRIL 14, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER DIRECTOR OF THE
RULING DESTOURIAN SOCIALIST PARTY (PSD), THE RCD'S
PRECURSOR. ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1987, HE WAS APPOINTED AS
MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS. BUT TWO DAYS LATER, THEN-
PRESIDENT BOURGUIBA OUSTED HIM, MAKING ZAKARIA BEN MUSTAPHA
MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS. ON DECEMBER 15, 1987, BEN
ALI'S ASSUMPTION OF THE PRESIDENCY, HE WAS APPOINTED AS
PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL. ON OCTOBER 27,
1990, HE WAS APPOINTED AS COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC. ON OCTOBER 10, 1991, HE WAS APPOINTED AS MINISTER
OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. IN JUNE 1996, HE WAS APPOINTED AS
SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTIONAL RALLY
(RCD). HE WAS ELECTED AS PARLIAMENTARY DEPUTY DURING THE
ELECTIONS OF 1979, 1981 AND 1986. HE WAS AWARDED WITH THE
TITLES OF COMMANDER OF THE INDEPENDENCE, REPUBLIC AND
NOVEMBER 7 ORDERS. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO CHILDREN.

RAPHEL

© Scoop Media