Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TUNIS1702
2006-07-06 13:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:  

DAS GRAY MEETING WITH TUNISIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN

Tags:  PREL KPAO PGOV PHUM SMIG MARR TS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #1702/01 1871348
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 061348Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1220
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 7252
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 1306
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1601
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 8183
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 0704
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001702 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (MHARRIS),PM (LOFTIS),AND G/TIP (PATEL)
PARIS, LONDON, AND ROME FOR NEA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2016
TAGS: PREL KPAO PGOV PHUM SMIG MARR TS
SUBJECT: DAS GRAY MEETING WITH TUNISIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN
MINISTER FOR THE AMERICAS AND ASIA

REF: A. TUNIS 1675


B. TUNIS 1642

C. TUNIS: 1621

D. TUNIS: 1603

Classified By: Ambassador William Hudson, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001702

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (MHARRIS),PM (LOFTIS),AND G/TIP (PATEL)
PARIS, LONDON, AND ROME FOR NEA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2016
TAGS: PREL KPAO PGOV PHUM SMIG MARR TS
SUBJECT: DAS GRAY MEETING WITH TUNISIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN
MINISTER FOR THE AMERICAS AND ASIA

REF: A. TUNIS 1675


B. TUNIS 1642

C. TUNIS: 1621

D. TUNIS: 1603

Classified By: Ambassador William Hudson, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C//NF) SUMMARY. During his June 27-28 visit, NEA Deputy
Assistant Secretary Gordon Gray met with Deputy Foreign
Minister for the Americas and Asia, Saida Chtioui, to discuss
the USG position on Libya, Tunisian relations with Iran, USG
support for Guatemala for the Latin American Security Council
seat (REF C),Security Council reform, the transition from
African Union to UN peacekeeping forces in Darfur (REF A),
the Status of Forces Agreement (REF D),establishing an IRI
presence, and USG concern regarding freedom of expression and
human rights. Chtioui raised questions about the USG position
on U.N. Security Council reforms and concerns about the
recent TIP report. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) PARTICIPANTS:

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

Gordon Gray, NEA Deputy Assistant Secretary
Ambassador William Hudson, Embassy Tunis
Ellen Bienstock, CAO, Embassy Tunis (notetaker)


Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
--------------

Saida Chtioui, Deputy Foreign Minister for the Americas and
Asia
Ghazi Jomaa, Director General, Americas and Asia Division
Moez Sinaoui, Deputy Director, Americas Division


3. (C) BILATERAL RELATIONS: Gray took Chtioui's point that
distinguishing among North African countries was important
and pointed out Deputy Secretary Zoellick's visit last month
as an example of the recognition in Washington that Tunisia
has set itself apart from others in the region in many areas
of reform. He reiterated Zoellick's suggestion that we
create a broader based discussion on common agenda items like
economic reform and assured Chtioui that we would be in touch

soon after internal deliberations were complete. However, he
expressed our continued concern regarding freedom of
expression and human rights and specifically raised the issue
of jailed lawyer Mohamed Abbou. Chtioui lamented what she
considered another of the "pre-conceived opinions" that
governments outside of Tunisia have. She insisted that Abbou
was in jail because he assaulted one of his colleagues. The
Ambassador clarified that Abbou had been convicted on two
accounts: assault and an internet article critical of the
government. Chtioui insisted that the publishing of the
article was not illegal; rather, it was the incitement of
Tunisians to disobey the government. She pointedly chastised
Europeans in general for misrepresenting human rights issues
in their media and within their governments. She insisted
that it was not possible to condemn anyone for writing
against the government, and gave several examples of those
who have done so and have not been imprisoned. Both Gray and
Chtioui agreed that previous discussions between former DRL
A/S Lorne Craner and the GOT were a positive process toward
mutual agreement and that that the Deputy Secretary's efforts
to get back to a similar type of dialogue would be welcome.
Chtioui offered a discussion of "all matters - no taboos."


4. (C) Chtioui mentioned that the FM would like to visit in
October and requested our help in fixing appointments and
advising the GOT on the best time to visit. She also noted
that the GOT plans to invite U/S Karen Hughes for a visit to
Tunisia. She encouraged more exchange visits to further
mutual understanding and noted that the more candid we could
be the better.


5. (C) IRI: Gray asked about the status of IRI,s request to
establish an office in Tunisia. Chtioui spoke positively of
IRI-GOT relations but emphatically stated the she could not
understand why it was not enough to maintain relations as
they are and why the USG insisted on the matter given that

this was supposed to be an NGO. She wondered why a physical
presence was necessary. Gray explained that in-country
presence would be more efficent, similar to having embassy
presence in-country to deal with diplomatic issues. Chtioui
explained that the GOT resists an IRI physical presence
because it has historically had problems with NGOs, in
particular from Europe. The GOT,s concern, she explained,
was that European NGOs would finance local NGOs, which is
contrary to Tunisian law. She referenced IRI and NDI
activities in Egypt and Bahrain, which Gray countered by
noting that several other countries in the region have been
receptive to their presence. When asked if an IRI
representative could come for discussion with the MFA,
Chtioui responded that they would be welcome as long as the
discussion was around the implementation of programs rather
than the opening of a bureau. She requested that we make
sure IRI representatives really understood the reality of the
country and not come, as people often do, with "preconceived
opinions," which they then proceed to try to prove. She
noted, for example, the many "insulting" things about Tunisia
IFEX wrote that appeared in the press. She also requested
that representatives come with an understanding of the
distinction between Maghreb and other African countries.
Chtioui noted that she had met several times with former DRL
A/S Lorne Craner and that some of his requests had been
implemented. Gray suggested that perhaps the standard for
future discussion should be previous "successful
implementation" of programs.


6. (C) SOFA: Gray asked about the status of the SOFA
discussion, noting that the MOD had indicated it had some
modifications but was prepared to move forward (REF D).
Chtioui, appearing exasperated, commented that the MFA and
MOD had agreed to the text but that the MOD had one or two
details to work out considering the overall implementation of
the agreement. She suggested that the situation could be
resolved among defense experts from each side. The
Ambassador agreed to convey the message to Washington.
(NOTE: The Minister of Defense told the Ambassador on 6/29
that he hoped the GOT's written response would be ready in
July (REF A). END NOTE.)


7. (C) LIBYA: Gray began the meeting by explaining the
Secretary of State,s May 15 announcement of her intention to

SIPDIS
restore full diplomatic relations with Libya and rescind
Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Chtioui
expressed the GOT,s pleasure with these decisions and drew
attention to the GOT,s work over the years to help improve
U.S.-Libyan relations. She expressed the hope that this
milestone would further advancement of Arab Mahgreb Union
cooperation and offered additional GOT assistance should it
be needed.



8. (C) IRAN: Chtioui expressed the GOT,s satisfaction with
the USG decision to negotiate with Iran and informed us that
the GOT had beseeched Iran through diplomatic channels to
negotiate on the issue of atomic energy through the
International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Union, and
the U.S. now that they are open to such a dialogue. Chtioui
explained that the GOT has also been steadily improving
relations with Iran over the past few years, including
participating in a joint conference with Iran two months ago.
Tunisia, she said, abstained from voting when they sat on
the IAEA Board of Directors in order to maintain a vantage
point for negotiation.


9. (C): TIP: Chtioui expressed frustration with reports
coming out of Washington and other places that misrepresent
the truth about Tunisia. She pointed specifically to the TIP
report, which the GOT thought was "very disappointing." The
Ambassador explained that the TIP report was a good example
of the cooperation between the USG and the GOT, that Tunisia
had a very favorable report, and that the Embassy had
conveyed to Washington Tunisia,s hard work to combat TIP.
Chtioui expressed frustration with the TIP narrative for the
Netherlands, which referred to a court case that had taken
place there. The Ambassador said he was unaware of this
section of the report and promised to look into it. Chtioui
pled for the USG to understand that the GOT is doing the best
it can and to give it the recognition it deserves.


10. (U) Gray has cleared this cable.

HUDSON