Tunisia: Bourguibas Go Splitsville

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When President Habib Bourguiba married Wassila Bent Muhammad Ben Ammar in 1962, the Tunisian press called it a "love match." Over the years, the pair had frequent clashes, after which she would depart the presidential palace for extended sulks abroad. One such absence was expected to end early this month on the occasion of Bourguiba's 83rd birthday, but Wassila, now 74, failed to turn up.

A terse palace announcement last week declared Wassila divorced. The * statement accused her of "violation of the Constitution and declarations made without the President's authorization." While no charges were detailed, Wassila has been a supporter of a constitutional change to make the process of choosing a successor to her husband, who has ruled for nearly 30 years, more democratic. Asked she: "Why close the door on the young and the new?" Instead of opening doors, however, Wassila ultimately found herself on the outside looking in.