Arab Islamic Republic
The Arab Islamic Republic (Arabic: الجمهورية العربية الإسلامية al - al - ʿ Dschumhuriyya arabiyya al - Islamiyya, al - DMG Ǧumhūrīya al - ʿ Arabiyya al - Islamiyya ), also Libyan Tunisian Union, was a planned unification of the two countries Libya and Tunisia, which was proposed by the Libyan leader Muammar al - Gaddafi and Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba.
Regional Overview
The proposed alliance of Libya with Tunisia was related to the Arab unity pursuit and was a predecessor of the Arab Maghreb Union. Due to the many similarities between the Maghreb countries, there have been movements that aspired to an agreement or a cooperation of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia. In the constitutions of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia the ideal of a Maghreb Union is mentioned. However, this failed initially to the competing interests of the two regional superpowers Algeria and Morocco. A Tunisian proverb says: " If there were only Algeria or Morocco, a Maghreb Union would not be possible. The only major power would swallow us. To achieve the Maghreb Union, both rival great powers are necessary. " A regional organization would thus bind the rival forces and require cooperation among States.
In addition, still playing the pan-Arabism and the other Arab countries with their common heritage an important role in the region. Muammar al - Gaddafi, a supporter of Arab unity endeavor, a union sought to Libya with Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Chad and Tunisia. Therefore, Libya had already established with Egypt and Syria, the Federation of Arab Republics. So he hit on 17 December 1972 in Tunis the accession of Tunisia to the Federation or a union of Libya with Tunisia before. During the speech, Gaddafi, which was broadcast live on the radio, the Tunisian President Bourguiba rushed to Gaddafi's speech and then gave a speech in which he criticized the idea of Gaddafi. He said that the Arabs once (unsuccessfully) were combined and rejected the idea of Gaddafi's back. In June 1973 agreed Libya and Tunisia, but an economic and labor agreements.
At the fourth Conference of the Movement of Non-Aligned States from 5 to 9 September 1973 in Algiers, the Tunisian President Bourguiba called for the unification of Algeria, Libya and Tunisia for an " indefinite period " on ( "United States of North Africa ").
The Declaration of Djerba
On January 11, 1974 Bourguiba and Gaddafi signed the Declaration of Djerba, in which the union of Libya and Tunisia, it was decided the Arab Islamic Republic. In both countries, referendums were planned. This rapid procedure Gaddafi differed from his approach towards Egypt, with which previously failed a merger. You may also Bourguiba was interested in a merger with Libya to free this from the influence of Egypt.
This quick deal surprised observers and experts, which were of the opinion Bourguiba will not support an association, since the speech Gaddafi in Tunis would have led to tensions between Libya and Tunisia. Bourguiba's rethinking could also have been because that 30,000 Tunisians working in Libya and thus supported the economy of Tunisia. In addition, Tunisia suffered from unemployment, high debt and scarcity of raw materials and an association with the richer Libya was therefore a welcome solution. What reasons Bourguiba eventually persuaded to agree to the union with Libya, however, is not clear. In contrast, it is known that many Algerians and Tunisians saw the declaration of Djerba critical.
In the Djerba Declaration a government, an army and a president was earmarked for the Arab Islamic Republic. Should the President Bourguiba and Gaddafi are the Minister of Defence. In contrast, no solutions or compromises have been found for other criteria such as trade, tariffs, investment, rules for immigrants, social security and the creation of a single shipping company. An agreement on these points, however, was not considered as important as the union of the two states. Bourguiba was given for the establishment of the Union of Tunisian some members of the government support, such as the well-known Foreign Minister Muhammad Masmudi.
How long was the Republic, is controversial. The times range from one day to one month. In contrast, it is known that Tunisia benefited from the merger with Libya, but did not give up its sovereignty. Thus, the Socialist Party of Tunisia criticized the Union, since it created no clear rules between the two countries and governed no exact powers of the ministries. As a result, Bourguiba changed his opinion to the Union. The referendum was postponed in Tunisia on 12 January 1974 Tunisia withdrew from the Djerba Declaration and the Foreign Minister Masmoudi was dismissed. Before that Gaddafi was still hoping that the Union promotes the Arab unity. After successfully establishing the European Community and the fast back down Bourguiba whose government and its ability to govern has been questioned.
Failure of the Declaration of Djerba
It is unclear, for whatever reason the Statement of Djerba failed before it came to the referendums. Maybe too large differences in the interests of both states are responsible for a failure. Tunisia, following the example of the former mother country, France, was governed liberal and was marked secular. Education was a top priority, as well as women's rights, social policy and an advanced infrastructure. For these reasons, the government at the founder of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk oriented. Gaddafi was, however, interested in an Islamic- socialist state. He declined to secularisation and Westernisation and was set politically anti-Western.
As a consequence of this, there was an unbridgeable difference, which made it difficult to reach agreement both countries. Bourguiba was of the view that the two countries would not fit together per se, but a collaboration would be possible. In contrast, Gaddafi was more interested in a full integration of the two states in the Republic. He looked over Libya since revolutionary movement as a state. After Gaddafi Libyans and Tunisians opinion were a people and the limits would simply pulled out of " conquerors and imperialists ".
Ultimately difficult regional political differences a union. Thus, the Egyptian- Libyan relations after 1973. Deteriorated Due to the decreasing influence of Egypt in the region declined Algeria an association of Libya and Tunisia increasingly from. Already in the first 24 hours after the founding of the Arab Islamic Republic Algeria Tunisia threatened with military action, should Tunisia consummate the union with Libya. In addition, the Tunisian Foreign Minister Muhammad Masmudi was accused of bribery by Libya.