C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001603

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG - HARRIS, PM - RLOFTIS AND G/TIP - PATEL
DOD FOR OSD - MAXELROD, LYOUNG, SYOUNG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL KMIG TS
SUBJECT: COM USAFE AND MINISTER OF DEFENSE DISCUSS SOFA,
AFGHAN PRTS AND TIP

REF: 05 TUNIS 2568

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. DAVID BALLARD FOR REASONS 1.4 (b)
AND (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. During his June 25-26 visit, the Commander of
U.S. Air Forces in Europe General William Hobbins met with
Tunisian Minister of National Defense Kamal Morjane to
discuss bilateral military relations. Morjane said the
Ministry of Defense had provided the MFA with a draft
response on the Status of Forces Agreement. Gen. Hobbins
encouraged Tunisia participation in the Afghan Provincial
Reconstruction Teams, and Morjane indicated civilian support
may be possible. Morjane also said the GOT is interested in
bilateral cooperation to combat illegal migration. END
SUMMARY.


2. (U) PARTICIPANTS:

U.S.:
--------------

General William Hobbins, COM USAFE
Command Chief Master Sergeant Gary Coleman, Senior Enlisted
Advisor, USAFE
Hunter Hustace, Political Advisor, USAFE
Colonel Bradley Anderson, Defense Attache, Embassy Tunis
Lt. Colonel Chris Herndon, Office of Defense Cooperation
Chief, Embassy Tunis
Susannah Cooper, Acting Pol/Econ Chief, Embassy Tunis

TUNISIA:
--------------

Kamel Morjane, Minister of Defense
General Mahmoud Ben Mhamed, Chief of Staff, Tunisian Air Force
Colonel Habib Boughoula, Office of the Minister
Colonel Mohammed Sghaier Hosni, Director of Protocol, MOD


3. (C) SOFA: Morjane began by stating that the Ministry had
completed its first draft response to the proposed Status of
Forces Agreement (SOFA, reftel). Morjane said that the draft
was not a counter-proposal, but rather an attempt to
summarize the discussion that Tunisian President Ben Ali had
regarding the SOFA with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld in
February. Morjane said that he hoped to finalize the SOFA,
which is in the interest of the two armed forces. Morjane's
staff indicated the MOD draft was now with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs for review.


4. (C) AFGHAN PRTS: General Hobbins highlighted the important
role Provincial Reconstruction Teams are playing in
contributing to the stability of Afghanistan and asked for
Tunisian support for the PRTs. Morjane said the Tunisia
military participates in international peacekeeping efforts,
but is limited by its capabilities and the desire to fall
under the U.N. umbrella in such activities, particularly
given "sensitivities in our region." "We prefer countries
where we can be seen as neutral," said Morjane, noting
Tunisia was unwilling to contribute forces to Darfur.
Morjane added that Tunisia will continue to help
diplomatically, supporting a moderate position, but that "you
may not be able to count on us on the ground." Morjane went
on to say that, while unwilling to provide military support,
Tunisia could provide civilian assistance to Afghanistan,
particularly in the areas of health and women's rights. He
also indicated that the GOT may be interested in sending a
few individuals to Afghanistan. (COMMENT: This could be part
of a EUCOM visit to explore opportunities for civilian
cooperation. END COMMENT.) Morjane noted that, as far as he
knows, the Afghan government had never formally approached
Tunisia directly about possible assistance.


5. (C) TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS: Turning to the military's role
in monitoring Tunisia's maritime borders, Morjane expressed
his shock that more than 600 individuals had been intercepted
in the past week attempting illegal migration by sea. Noting
he did not know why there was such a surge in recent
attempts, Morjane said most of the attempted migrants had
originated from Libya. He praised the good cooperation
Tunisia has with Italy and Malta on this issue and said that
he hopes to reinforce U.S.-Tunisian bilateral cooperation
related to illegal migration.


6. (C) COMMENT: Morjane was more forward leaning in his
discussions with General Hobbins than he -- or other GOT
officials -- has been in the past, particularly with regard

to the SOFA and PRTs. However, his suggestion that the GOT
is prepared to support U.S. goals on the SOFA, PRTs or TIP
has not been reinforced by our other contacts in the GOT.
Post will continue to engage on these topics to determine the
true extent of GOT interest in and willingness to move
forward on these issues. END COMMENT.


7. (U) General Hobbins' party did not clear this telegram.
BALLARD