government: Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since 26 September
1989)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab): elections last held 20 March
1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - RCD 97.7%, MDS 1.0%, others
1.3%; seats - (163 total) RCD 144, MDS 10, others 9; note - the
government changed the electoral code to guarantee that the opposition
won seats

Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation)

Political parties and leaders: Constitutional Democratic Rally Party
(RCD), President BEN ALI (official ruling party); Movement of
Democratic Socialists (MDS), Mohammed MOUAADA; five other political
parties are legal, including the Communist Party

Other political or pressure groups: the Islamic fundamentalist party,
An Nahda (Rebirth), is outlawed

Member of: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO,
G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU,
MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC (withdrew from active membership in 1986), OAS
(observer), OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNITAR, UNMIH, UNPROFOR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Azzouz ENNAIFER
chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann CASEY
embassy: 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [216] (1) 782-566
FAX: [216] (1) 789-719

Flag: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent
nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are
traditional symbols of Islam

@Tunisia:Economy

Overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural,
mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Detailed
governmental control of economic affairs has gradually lessened over
the past decade, including increasing privatization of trade and
commerce, simplification of the tax structure, and a cautious approach
to debt. Real growth has averaged roughly 5% in 1991-94, and inflation
has been moderate. Growth in tourism and IMF support have been key
elements in this solid record. Further privatization and further
improvements in government administrative e