Consistent Support for Palestinian Independence

Special Interview Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the Republic of Indonesia HE Faysal GOUIA with Yoedi Karyono and Dana Anwari in Office Space Ambassador on 22 April 2010

Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Indonesia since 2006 Faysal GOUIA, gentleman born July 10, 1959, married and now blessed with two daughters. A daughter is now being completed pharmaceutical studies in Tunis, Tunisia, while a daughter was in Jakarta attended an international school in South Jakarta Cinere.

Have an educational background including business administration at the "Ecole Nationale d'Administration (National Administration Institute) ENA of Tunis. Hold and equivalent of a PHD in Public Administration from the "Ecole Nationale d'Administration (National Administration Institute) ENA of Tunis (1989). Hold on MA in Finance Management from the Finance School of Paris (1986). Holds a diploma from the Nationale Defenc Institute in Washington, DC (Near East South Asia Center from the Strategic Studies) (2002). Diploma in Home Studies from the "Bourgiba Institute of Foreign Languages" of Tunis (1995). Auditors of the "National Defence Institute of Tunis (2003).

Languages with very active, of course, Arabic, French and English. Indonesian while on duty when this place was also occupied with a very limited,''I will study harder Indonesian language, because it is very enjoyable. Attitude of Indonesian people are calm, friendly and ready smile made my task in this country is much more fun,''he said.

Faysal GOUIA professional experience among others in the tahun1984 until 1986 as Head of International Relations Division at the Ministry of Family and Woman Affairs. 1989 to 1993 as Head of the Bugdet Management Division at the Ministry of Finance. 1993 to 1995 as Deputy Director for South Asia Region at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Began his career as a diplomat at the Embassy of Tunisia in Washington the United States as Cultural and Press attaché in 1995 until 1997, the year 1997 to 1999 believed to be the Economic and Commercial Consular next year in 1999 until 2001 as Deputy Chief of Mission. In the year 2001 till 2005 he appointed as Director of Americans at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia.

In 2006, the man who has the hobby sport of football this country believed to be the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the Republic of Indonesia and located in Jakarta. Other activities Faysal GOUIA until such time as a Permanent Member of the "High Commission for Tenders" at the Prime Ministry. " Lecturer at the Diplomatic Institute of Tunis, and also as Attended Several United Nations Conference, and represented Tunisia in many conferences and seminars on issues related to foreign policy and international relations.

Consistent Support Palestine
Relations between the Republic of Tunisia and the Republic of Indonesia nurtured since 1950, and is now entering the 50th year of diplomatic relations. Even the two countries at the start of each relationship was solidified in the struggle for the independence of his country. ''The two countries initiated diplomatic relations five years before the Asian-African Conference which was monumental, and is remembered today in our country,''said Faysal.

According to Faysal, the first state visit President of the Republic of Indonesia Ir Soekarno to Tunisia in 1960 was a very memorable visit. President Soekarno was not only being familiar with the head of state, heads of government and key officials of other countries, but also be familiar and friendly with the people of Tunisia. ''This is what makes us the People of Tunisia was very impressed and become sweet memories to this day,;; he said.

Furthermore, said Faysal, the visit of President Suharto and several other officials and also visit of President Megawati Soekarno Puteri into our country makes the relations between the two countries are very familiar, and certainly return visit of the President of Tunisia as well as many more officials who are increasingly strengthening good relations both countries.

''Now my job as an ambassador is to further enhance the good relations the two countries have become much better. It's not just in the forum between countries and between peoples of both countries, but in a wider forum in the international forum,''said Faysal.

The two countries shared a majority Muslim population dominated by early sejaka nerada opened diplomatic relations both in one stance, the two countries have a firm political stance that supports the Palestinian People's struggle to achieve independence. Until now''in Tunis, the capital of our state buildings and facilities and equipment provided all the necessary facilities to representatives of Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO),''said Faysal.

Provision of facilities for the PLO it is not nonsense, when President Suharto's visit to Tunisia in the '90s and in the agenda of the visit include a meeting with PLO leader Yasser Arafat, Tunisia gives a very respectable facility, a meeting between Arafat and Suharto made in Tunisia Presidential Palace, and of course with very tight security.

Political attitudes of both countries on the problems of Palestine, said Faysal, absolutely nothing changes, the two countries would continue to provide support to the Palestinians to achieve independence.

Tunisia's largest phosphate producer countries of this world, and also a date that became a favorite of Muslims in Indonesia, especially in the month of ramadan when breaking the fast, currently has a population of 10 million people, is located in very strategic areas in the continent of Africa and very close to the European Continent . In this country the cost of school education from kindergarten to university is free and all countries covered by the study. Budget''of education in our country is ¼ of the entire state budget, so we can finance that education,''said Faysal.

Gross national income (GDP) this country according to data from the year 2002 amounted to USD 21 billion with per capita income in the same year amounted to USD 2,150, while the total population of 10 million, because that was a very prosperous country, in addition to modern education and also the planning of the town very similar to the major cities in Europe, the most important trading relationship is France, Italy, Belgium, the United States.

The use of geothermal energy in this country for more than 90 percent, and this is an environmentally friendly energy, energy from fossil fuel use is there but very limited,''Our country import oil from neighboring countries in the Middle East, and was used for the purposes limited course, we prefer the energy that can be produced domestically, including the technology we use is a domestic product,''said Faysal.

Faysal said his country is very strict in protecting the environment, especially water supply and one of the mainstay of this country is tourism, where tourism is very popular among others in Kairouan, Monastir very beautiful beaches, ancient relics of the Roman ruins of Carthage, the ancient city of Sousse and also Yasmine Hammamet and there are many more beautiful places in this country.

''Our job in the government and also by umum is to maintain best possible hygiene lingkungan from all kinds of pollution and for future generations, not for us, especially with global warming is happening now become the responsibility of us all,''said Faysal.

Faysal GOUIA enjoyed the cuisine of Indonesia, because many use spices, especially the satay chicken. Recognizing that nature in Indonesia are also very beautiful. ''My family had vacationed in Gili Trawangan Lombok Island, this place is very beautiful.''

Ongoing relations between the two countries has reached 50 years old in 2010 and this is the golden anniversary, warning that good relations will be conducted over one full year and in May to the Jakarta Embassy of Tunisia will hold activities such as painting exhibitions and art form from his country , culinary festivals and the activities of state of Tunisia's cooperation with several five star hotels in Jakarta.

In addition activities such as art performances in Jakarta, Indonesia, and also shows artists who will perform the same activities in Tunisia. Seminars and discussions relating to the warning relations between the two countries will also fill the big events. ''My job is to do our best to improve relations between the two countries, and that's what makes me happy,''said Faysal. (rainbowdiplomacy.com/Photo: Dana Anwari)