83. Editorial Note
On November 7, 1987, the Government of Tunisia announced that longtime President Habib Bourguiba had been removed from power and replaced by a new government headed by Zine El Abdine Ben Ali. (See footnote 3, Document 354.) On November 8, the U.S. Embassy in Algeria commented in telegram 6887 that “the Algerian reaction to the change in Tunis thus far has been both measured and positive” and noted that “given their anxiety over the political drift in Tunis of the past several years, they can only be satisfied with the change.” Moreover, “Ben Ali’s accession to the Presidency has so far avoided the Algerians’ nightmare scenario of an uncertain transition in Tunis which would tempt Qadhafi to intervene.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870921–0471)
The Government of Morocco, the Embassy reported in telegram 10738 from Rabat, November 9, reacted to Bourguiba’s fall “with considerable understanding, if not sympathy,” which included both a “message of congratulations” from King Hassan II to Ben Ali and a comment that “Tunisia was indebted to ‘brother Bourguiba’ and that he was confident Ben Ali would work to safeguard Bourguiba’s [Page 180] contributions by introducing changes and reforms as circumstances directed.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870922–0705) The Government of Mauritania, as reported in telegram 4771 from Nouakchott, November 9, “issued a public statement wishing the new Tunisian Government success in its endeavors.” The Embassy further reported: “The Taya government is relieved that the problem of Bourguiba’s succession has been resolved in an orderly and peaceful fashion.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870923–0039)