Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TUNIS1939
2006-08-01 11:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
TFLE01: GOT DECLARES THREE DAYS OF MOURNING OVER
how-toVZCZCXYZ0026 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #1939 2131129 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 011129Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1427 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS TUNIS 001939
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TS KPAO PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: TFLE01: GOT DECLARES THREE DAYS OF MOURNING OVER
QANA BOMBING
REF: TUNIS 1924
All papers carried July 31 an official GOT release stating
that, in a sign of solidarity with the Lebanese people, there
would be a national three day mourning period. According to
the press release, "Tunisia is profoundly shocked and
concerned by the horrible massacre perpetrated by Israel in
Qana, in deliberately bombing innocent civilians, a majority
of whom were children, women, and elderly, in doing so
violating humanitarian principles, international law and
charters." The press release called for influential members
of the international community to impose a cease-fire, and to
dispatch an international peacekeeping force in southern
Lebanon. The Ministry of Culture announced that due to the
period of mourning, all cultural festivals and events would
be postponed for three days. (NOTE: Many such events were
canceled rather than delayed due to artists' schedules,
including performances at the prominent Carthage Festival.
Embassy PA cultural programming was also affected, as a trio
of visiting bluegrass musicians was not able to perform two
concerts in Sfax and Mahdhia.)
BALLARD