2008-07-30
(TAP) - President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali was the focus, on Wednesday, of a warm welcome from the congress participants and the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) cadres and activists, upon his entering the congress hall at the El Kram Exhibition Centre for the opening of the RCD Congress works.The congress delegates voiced their attachment to
President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and his reform and change policies, as well as their adherence to the principles and orientations of his civilisational project, before singing the national anthem in atmosphere characterised by intense enthusiasm.President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali delivered a speech in which he, notably, announced his acceptance to be the RCD candidate for the 2009 presidential election, saying in this respect: "I am always with you, faithful to my commitment. In response to your appeal, I proudly say: Yes, I will be your candidate for the presidential election of 2009," given his faith in the nobility of the mission he accomplished to carry on progression, strengthen it and enrich it, by fidelity to the sacred mission entrusted to him by the Rally to start a new stage, for the benefit of the homeland and the people.
The President of the Republic voiced his heartfelt emotion and his pride of the precious confidence placed in his person by the people, with all its organisations and associations, youth and adults, men and women, from all ages, regions and social categories.
This decision was welcomed by warm applause from the congress participants, who lengthily chanted the glory of the Head of State and Tunisia, and sang the national anthem.
The Head of State announced a series of new decisions pertaining to the structuring of the RCD Central Committee to consecrate the continuity and complementarity of the successive generations of the activists of all ages. These decisions will also provide all with the opportunity to contribute to the management of the Party and militate within its structures, and provide for the creation of permanent commissions within the Central Committee, as well as the amendment of Article 26 of the Rally's Internal Regulations lowering the number of the RCD vice-presidents to only one vice-president.
Besides, President Ben Ali said that the Rally experienced, from the Salvation Congress up to the present one, a great epic of accomplishments, hard work and sacrifice, underlining that the choice of "Challenge" as a motto for this fifth Congress, reflecting the nature of the current stage, which requires stepping up action and effort, overcoming difficulties, and aspiring for the better, announces thus that this Congress ushers in a new stage of action to consolidate the country's gains and achievements and meet further stakes and challenges.
The Head of State underlined the unwavering keenness on promoting political life, anchoring the foundations of democracy and pluralism, and offering large opportunities for the contribution of all national forces all the more so that the RCD assumes a major responsibility, given its weight and its historical and political position. In this connection, he said that partnership will continue with civil society, in addition to increasing the opportunities of dialogue and consultation with its various components, given the conviction that Tunisia belongs to all and all should serve Tunisia.
Regarding what is rumored from time to time about alternation in power, President Ben Ali recalled that this issue is already settled by the Constitution, asserting belief in this fundamental principle of the republican system that the people's choice is the rule for alternation, and that the Constitution is the decisive arbiter for all.
Congress delegates unanimously approved the attribution of the chairmanship of the Congress to President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and the adoption of his speech as official document for the Congress, as well as entrusting the Head of State with the chairmanship of the RCD.
Then, President Ben Ali proclaimed the composition of the Congress bureau which stands as follows:
- Deputy Chairman of the Congress: Mohamed Ghannouchi
- General Reporter: Abdallah Kallel
- Official Spokesman for the Congress: Abdelwaheb Abdallah
- Chairman of the Secretariat of the Congress: Mohamed Ghariani
- Chairman of the Financial Control Committee: Taoufik Baccar
- Chairman of the Delegations' Committee: Mekki Aloui
The congress members approved of this composition.
On this occasion, Mr. Hedi M'henni, RCD secretary-general, extended his heartfelt thanks and consideration to the Head of State for having chaired the opening works of the Rally's 5th Congress, which marks a crucial stage in the activist process of this Party, and for having accepted to stand for the forthcoming presidential elections, reiterating the adherence of RCD activists, at home and abroad, to his pertinent choices and their attachment to his person as the guide of Tunisia, leader of its people and pathfinder of its successful development work on the road to progress and prosperity.
At the beginning of the opening session of the Congress, the RCD secretary-general had stressed the President of the Republic's keenness to work so that this Congress be an outstanding stage in the Party's progress and a starting point of a new phase of labour and activism.
The choice made by the Head of State of the "Challenge" as the motto of the Congress, he added, testifies to the bet made on the RCD and its activists to accomplish more gains and achievements and reach the targets set in the sense of progress and development.
He also underlined that the Rally will always be equal to the hopes placed in it by President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and that it will carry on discharging the activist mission it has been vested with, while following the example of the Head of State in terms of perseverance, self-sacrifice and allegiance to the homeland.
