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| Africa North |
| Tunisia to sell Ben Ali palaces |
| 2012-01-28 |
| [Magharebia] Interim Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki announced plans last month to sell off the majority of presidential palaces once owned by ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The earnings will then be used to create job opportunities for the nation's unemployed youth. "Presidential palaces, except for the Carthage Palace, will be returned to the state at a first stage," Marzouki said December 16th. "In a second stage, they will be sold in a public auction with all transparency and clarity, and the proceeds that will be generated from the sale will be injected into employment funds." Furthermore, Marzouki announced that Carthage Palace management would trim expenses and work on implementing "maximum austerity so that the presidency may contribute to the sacred war against poverty and unemployment in the country". According to the most recent official statistics, Tunisia's unemployment rate is estimated at 18%, leaving 800,000 people without jobs. Marzouki pledged to tackle the issue after his election. "The boat won't sink; Tunisia won't sink, and the sacrifices of our children won't go in vain," he said. "Yes, Tunisia will succeed." Ben Ali had many luxurious palaces in several Tunisian cities, the most prominent of which were Sidi Dhrif Palace in Sidi Bou Said, Hammamet Palace, Mornag Palace, Ein Darahem Palace, Sousse Palace and Cyprus Palace. A significant section of Tunisians said selling these palaces was better option than keeping them as part of presidential or state properties, especially with the current condition of the Tunisian economy. They said that funds generated from such sales could be used to support industrial institutions and start new projects, thereby stimulating economic growth and creating jobs. "Disposing of the presidential palaces and estate left behind by Ben Ali is necessary so that their value may be transferred to the state treasury, and new projects may be started to create a livelihood for the unemployed," commented Abdessalam Dakhlaoui, a young man with no job. Saoussen Ramdhane agreed that it was a step in the right direction. "Except for the historic Carthage Palace, Ben Ali built all these palaces with the Tunisian people's money, and it's about time such palaces were restored to their real owners and used for the interests of the people." Others believe that disposing of presidential palaces will make future officials less inclined to abuse public resources. Mohamed Abirig said he supported Marzouki's decision. "This way, future presidents won't enjoy the luxury and extravagance of former presidents in the properties of the Tunisian people, and in this way, they will be closer to their people, feel their sufferings and know about their needs." However, you can observe a lot just by watching... a number of groups opposed the move, with the Tunisian Association for Financial Transparency issuing a statement saying that the palaces were owned by the Tunisian state and that the interim president could not dispose of them. The association said that it wouldn't hesitate to resort to the judiciary to prevent the sale of public assets. Sami Remadi, the group's president, said in a statement addressed to the interim government and president that Tunisia's current conditions require more wisdom and transparency in disposing of people's properties. For its part, the Free National Party expressed surprise over the news that Marzouki was planning to sell presidential palaces. In a statement, the party wondered what powers the interim president had to dispose of the historical properties of the Tunisian state. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Turn them into hotels. Let the large international hotel chains run them. The proceeds from the sales goes into the treasury, as planned, plus you get some jobs going. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2012-01-28 10:56 |
| #1 I've got a spare Nickel. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2012-01-28 00:28 |