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

International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB,
AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS
(observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

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

Economy
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Economic 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 4.2% in 1991-95,
and inflation has been moderate. Growth in tourism and IMF support
have been key elements in this solid record. Drought, especially in
the south, held back GDP growth in 1995. Further privatization and
further improvements in government administrative efficiency are
among the challenges for the future.

GDP: purchasing po