Tunisia: Understanding Conflict 2012 - Johns Hopkins School of ...

cultural differences that may inhibit investment, such as Islamic laws in the banking
sector, have been quelled by explanations that both Islamic and Western forms of
banking will be accepted. Kamel Ben Younes, a correspondent for the British
Broadcasting Corporation, stated in an interview on 25 January 2012 that the Tunisian
government has talked with Western investors explaining that Islamic banking will not
crowd out Western forms of banking, but rather they will complement each other. The
two forms of banking will allow solicitation from a wider range of investors (SAIS Group
Meeting, 25 January 2012). The media coming out of Tunisia have helped to play down
fears of Islamophobia by explaining that a vote for an Islamist party was not a vote for
Islamic extremism but a description of the reality that Tunisia is a Muslim country.
The security sector in Tunisia has begun efforts to establish an orderly
environment in which investors will feel a sense of confidence. The unemployed
population of Tunisia has continued its demonstrations and sit-ins, which disrupt the
economic productivity of the country and serve as a public display to foreign investors
that there is still an unstable environment. The security forces in Tunisia have started to
use force to remove these protestors. Moncef Barouni, President of the Tunisian
American Chamber of Commerce expressed his belief that the general public in Tunisia
understands the damage these protests are having on the economy and therefore are
supportive of the security forces removal of these protestors (SAIS Group Meeting, 24
January 2012). This use of force by the police is a clear demonstration to foreign
investors that the coalition government will take action to secure a positive investment
environment.
The Tunisia government has sought U.S. assistance for potential investment
opportunities by stressing the idea that the revolution in Tunisia epitomizes a successful
democratic transition from a repressive dictatorship. Tunisia can be a model for Egypt
and a showcase for the way in which the U.S. can be influential in preserving a successful
democratic transition with limited financial aid and without military intervention.
Tunisia’s foreign policy elite have been able to argue that a small amount of investment
will pay greater dividends than U.S. government assistance invested to create democracy
in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the assistance towards prosperity in Tunisia will allow the
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