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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.
He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.
In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.
Global Real Estate Project
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Tunisia: Foreign Causes, Domestic ConsequencesWhat has a political speech made in France by a French politician intended for French audience in common with the modernization process in an Arab country such as Tunisia? The link is more than direct. When French head of state Jacques Chirac, in December 2003, called the Muslim women's head covering utterly unacceptable within the French public schools he, of course unintentionally, struck a major blow to the westernized Arab intelligentsia in Tunisia. How could this have happened? In every Arab country the majority holds some traditional social values and the westernized intelligentsia (where such exists) is a minority. When the French president said that it was the majority in France who should determine what the religious dress code was and whether or not it should be abandoned from public places, such arguments were more than embraced by the fundamentalist circles in many Arab countries, Tunisia included. They also would like, as a majority, to get rid of any western cultural influence and to return to their religious roots. How would you feel if you're a woman working as a teacher or as a doctor in Tunisia if suddenly the majority tells you that you should go home, cover your face, not dare practicing your job and obey every command of your husband, father and brothers? Right now in Tunisia you feel protected by the state, but what will come to you after the traditionalist values of the majority become law? The only option will be to get out of the country and go, guess where -- France, increasing the ever-growing Muslim Arab community. There you can dress as you like but you'll always remember that the only real social support you can get may come from your community, making you dependent on the same traditionalist majority and its values. Hence every time the French President hardens its anti-Muslim rhetoric in the name of the French majority, he gives a blow to the westernized circles in some Arab countries. What has France's policy got to do with Tunisia? In many Arab countries, Tunisia being no exception, foreign factors play a role as big as the domestic events in shaping the political and social landscape. Tunisia has chosen from the beginning of its independence in 1956, under the leadership of Habib Bourguiba, to follow an authoritarian but non-religious socialist path of development so the local intelligentsia has been internally split between supporting the government in its anti-religious policies and opposing it on everything concerning the lack of democratic practices and rule of law. In this environment every time the French president openly speaks against the Muslim traditional dress code, this can only play to those who want to see Tunisia returning to its religious roots. This state is undemocratic even if to many tourists it seems "modern" (the level of modernity being measured by the percentage of women wearing western clothes). In fact, the country is ruled by small circle of interconnected persons, ready to defend their almost absolute power from any outside social and political group, claiming that without their wise leadership the country will sink into chaos and religious violence. Allowing the opposition to win up to 20% of the national assembly seats in orchestrated elections and keeping the main Islamic party outlawed is just another way to show the world that any political alternative is worse than keeping the present status quo. Allowing women to wear western clothes is another way of blackmailing the West to continue its generous financial programs by showing the signs of "modernization". The West has more than one reason to close the eyes and to allow this mild by Arab standards dictatorship to continue its life for lack of better alternatives. Tunisia is situated almost at the doorsteps of Europe and any social and political crisis will result in a new wave of illegal African immigration, an ultimate nightmare for any European politician. The fragile equilibrium between the authoritarian state, the westernized intellectuals and more or less traditionalist majority is maintained by the incomes coming from tourism and the generous international aid. In this situation the big losers are the intellectuals, unable to rule or to spread their liberal values, constantly accused of being government agents, being with their hearts on the people's side but with their minds on the side of the regime. Although Tunisia is undemocratic country, it looks much more acceptable for the Western point of view and this is vital for the country's well-being because the tourists from Europe represent major asset in the state incomes. In order to please its foreign benefactors, Tunisia has become a favorite place for many Hollywood producers ("Star Wars"). The ruins of Carthage or rather the Roman ruins on the spot where Carthage once stood are a central point of attraction for foreigners that will remain so no matter who is the Tunisian head of state. Good news for travelers is that Tunisia isn't for rich tourists only. The budget tourists can also benefit from the country, especially during the winter season. By looking at the tourist ads people without any additional knowledge about the country could think of it as the paradise on earth. As a matter of fact the tourist facilities are more or less available throughout the country, the desert excluded, and the criminality is moderate by any western scale. This benign general picture doesn't take into account some terrorist activities that have recently targeted foreign tourists. In 2002 a militant group linked to Al Qaida killed more than 20 Western tourists in a local synagogue. In the last 12 months more than 25 West European tourists were confirmed missing in the Sahara desert after crossing from Tunisia into Algeria. Residential properties in general are cheaper than in many West European countries, perhaps only a third of the price levels in Southern Europe, but this difference isn't so huge as to make the country a hit for those who want to marry the quiet life to affordable housing. Cheap housing is there, but social peace is far from certain. The peaceful and democratic future is even less certain.
Tunisia profile: --------------------
See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Tunisia.
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