AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL WITH MINISTER OF DEFENSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001642

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG - HARRIS AND PM - LOFTIS
OSD - MAXELROD, SYOUNG, AND LYOUNG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV KDEM TS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL WITH MINISTER OF DEFENSE

REF: A. TUNIS 1603

B. TUNIS 1099

Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM HUDSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)


1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Ambassador's farewell call on Minister of
Defense Morjane was marked by mutual appreciation for the
strong bilateral military relationship and guarantees of its
continuation. Morjane shared his views on the broader
bilateral relationship, specifically political reform.
Morjane said the MOD continues its review of the Status of
Forces Agreement draft text and hopes to respond to the USG
shortly. Morjane said Tunisia is considering how to increase
its multilateral military engagement. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On June 29, Ambassador made a farewell call on
Minister of Defense Kamel Morjane. Ambassador noted that
positive dialogue and excellent cooperation the Ministry has
provided during his tenure and cited the success of training
and exchange programs. Morjane said Tunisia was grateful for
these opportunities and wants to continue this level of
cooperation. "Our Ministry will continue in this same spirit
of cooperation with your successor," said Morjane.


3. (C/NF) POLITICAL ISSUES: Turning to the broader bilateral
relationship, and referring to USG efforts to promote
democratic reform, Morjane said that "some things are not in
full agreement," but that mutual respect and confidence does
exist. Morjane asked that the U.S. recall Tunisia is a young
country and that it is still hard for some Tunisians to
adjust to changing views, such as a multiparty system. He
said that he hopes the U.S. will one day have a "better
message" on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, which is the "only
concern" Tunisian citizens have about the U.S.


4. (C) SOFA: Morjane seized the opportunity to brief the
Ambassador on the Ministry's progress on the SOFA draft text
and clarify the status (Ref A). Morjane said that the
Ministry is working with an Arabic version of the text, which
needs to be reviewed by other parts of the government before
a final English version is returned to the USG. Morjane said
that the Ministry's changes "take into account your proposal
and President Ben Ali's discussion of judicial issues with
Secretary Rumsfeld." Noting "we have taken more time than I

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thought," Morjane said he hoped the Tunisian response would
be ready in July, but that he could not promise anything.


5. (C/NF) MULTILATERAL COOPERATION: The Ambassador urged
Morjane to continue to strengthen its multilateral military
cooperation and to take advantage of multilateral
opportunities. Morjane said "our will is there, but our
means our limited." He added that Tunisia is reluctant to be
involved in peacekeeping operations, such as in Darfur or the
Western Sahara, where Tunisia may not appear to be a neutral
party. Morjane said that Tunisia "has no political or
fundamental problem" with NATO cooperation, and that Col.
Habib Boughoula (currently in the Minister's office) will
shortly become the Defense Attach in Brussels in charge of
Tunisia's relationship with NATO.


6. (C/NF) COMMENT: Morjane, who clearly feels comfortable
speaking freely, was particularly candid in his remarks. In
addition to noting that Presidents Ben Ali and Bourguiba
share the same ideology but have different styles, at one
point he highlighted the strong personal relationships he had
enjoyed with Israeli diplomats while working with the UN in
Geneva. He also complimented the MOD's reputation as a
strong organization in the Tunisia government, saying that
other entities regularly turned to the Ministry for
assistance with everything from humanitarian projects to
protocol issues. This frankness further reinforces the
impression that, although minister for less than a year,
Morjane is part of President Ben Ali's inner circle (Ref B).
END COMMENT.
HUDSON