France Acted Slowly on Tunisian Crisis, Wary of Interfering

Author: Steven Erlanger

Publisher: The New York Times

Date Published: 17 January 2011

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Article Summary

France has been slow to express support for the pro-democratic revolution in Tunisia. The French government has supported the Ben Ali government, which was closing itself into a semi-dictatorship, for various reasons like economic problems and fighting Islamists. They thought that Ben Ali would reestablish his government and also misunderstood how the economic crisis was changing things. It has complicated relations with Tunisia as it is a former colony and wants to protect its citizens and interests. They had a noninterference in internal affairs and they will help them build their new democracy. Prime Minster of France wanted “calm” and criticized the “disproportionate use of force” by Ali’s forces. France regards Tunisia as a bulwark against radical Islam. The United States is seen as helpful country against corruption and greed in Tunisia. They also criticized the crackdown on the protestors and President Obama praised their “courage and dignity” and wanted fair elections. Only a week earlier France decided to stop Ben Ali from landing in France and supported the democratic change. Also, France would aid the revolution and stop any suspicious financial movements from France going to Tunisia.

One of the major values in the article was responsibility. France was Tunisia’s colonial mother nation and various people thought that France should have been more proactive in the beginning then they were. Another value was noninterference in matters not from France. Bernard Valero, Foreign Ministry spokesman said “Our basic principle is noninterference in internal matters” (Erlanger).  France should be careful not to interfere too much in other countries. France was very passive in its approach towards the revolution in the beginning. Also, another value is accountability. Some examples of this are that French police could give better training and that Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said, “is more obliged to a certain reserve” and that France should help only so much.

Guiding Questions

What should have been or should be the role of the West in the Tunisian Revolution and its aftermath?

When stability and security run up against liberal democracy, which should prevail or be supported?