Arab Spring Showed France Error of Its Ways

France’s minister of Foreign Affairs says his government’s past support for authoritarian regimes and dictatorships in the Middle East was misguided and short sighted, but is now determined to provide the region “a helping hand” to develop its democratic initiatives.

“The Arab Springs showed us that [the regional stability] was just an illusion” Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Juppe told a press conference at the Council on Foreign Relations this morning in New York. “The protests are a great chance to institute democracy and the rule of law as well as peace and stability”

Juppe said the international community has “a moral and political duty” to help Egypt, Tunisia and Libya in their transitions and argued only free elections could ensure national legitimacy and against the radicalization of political discourse.

The French Minster of Foreign Affairs also outlined the Deauville initiative, a G8 plan to support new democratic governments. He says the $38 billion initiative will help carry out transitions and reforms for the creation of new democratic entities in the Middle East.

“This is your revolution. We stand alongside you” Mr. Juppé said, repeating the message he delivered during a visit to Tunis last week. 

Tunisia, Seeking Democratic Anchors, Joins ICC

The new interim government of Tunisia joined the Rome Statute of the International Court today, making it the 116th country and only the fourth member of the Arab league to become a party to the tribunal.

Tunisian Ambassador Ghazi Jomaa met with Secretary General Ban Ki Moon earlier today before making the announcement.

 Jomaa said this was one of several steps his government was taking to set the foundations for a democratic state in the wake of the January 14th revolution that led to the ousting of despotic President Ben Ali and helped inspire pro-democracy protests through out the Middle East.

 “As it prepares to hold a its first free election next October, to draft a new constitution and revisit many of it domestic laws, Tunisia is also taking concrete steps at the international level to confirm the important steps it is taking for its future” said Jomaa, adding that his country would be ratifying other international rights treaties on issues like forced disappearances and torture in the coming weeks.

 The Tunisian Ambassador said joining the ICC was a way to:“  send a clear message about our genuine commitment to anchor Tunisia irreversibly on the path of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

 Former President Zine al Abidine Ben Ali was hastily tried in absentia by a court in Tunis last week, where he was found guilty of embezzling state funds and handed a 35 year prison sentence as well as being fined more than 30 million dollars. 

 The former President dismissed the court’s decision, calling it a “parody of justice”. Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia during the protests were he remains, despite Tunisia’s request for extradition.