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Bush, Tunisia's Ben Ali Discuss Iraq, Terror, Libya, Greater Mideast Reforms
President Bush and Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali discussed regional issues related to the Middle East, including Iraq, cooperation in the war on terror, Middle East peace and positive developments with regard to Libya during a meeting in Washington February 18, according to a White House statement. President Bush also urged the Tunisian leader to broaden press freedom, to strengthen the rights of Tunisians to organize and work peacefully for reform, to implement free and competitive elections, and to ensure equal justice under the law. Bush said the United States is committed to working with Tunisia and all the countries of the Greater Middle East to achieve progress in these areas. Following is the text of the White House statement on the meeting between President Bush and the Tunisian president THE WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY President Bush met today with President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia. They reviewed issues of regional concern, including Iraq, Middle East peace, cooperation in the global war on terrorism, and positive developments in Libya. They also exchanged views on President Bush's vision for the Greater Middle East, and prospects for greater economic and political opportunities for all Tunisians. The President welcomed the establishment of a Middle East Partnership Initiative office in Tunis. Tunisia has made great strides in ensuring equal participation by women in all sectors of society, and social and economic progress in Tunisia could give it a leading role in regional reform if this progress is now followed by needed political reform. The President emphasized to President Ben Ali his desire for Tunisia to move ahead in areas such as press freedom, the rights of Tunisians to organize and work peacefully for reform, the need for free and competitive elections, and equal justice under law. The United States is committed to working with Tunisia and all the countries of the Greater Middle East to achieve progress in these areas. Progress in these areas is very much in Tunisia's interest, and in the interest of even stronger relations with the United States in the years ahead.
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