ABBAS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BEN ALI

UNCLAS TUNIS 002026

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/MAG FOR HARRIS, NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TS
SUBJECT: ABBAS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BEN ALI


1. On August 9, all Tunisian newspapers carried an official
GOT press agency report of a meeting between visiting
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Tunisian President
Ben Ali. Abbas visited Tunisia August 7 - 8. According to
the report, the two discussed the situation in the
Palestinian territories, which Abbas reportedly described as
"no less tragic than Lebanon", the current draft UN security
resolution on Israel and Lebanon, and the possibility of an
upcoming emergency Arab League Summit. Abbas and Ben Ali
also reportedly discussed Tunisian-Palestinian bilateral and
cultural relations and "questions of political order",
especially "the possibility of coordination of the Tunisian
and Palestinian positions" on relations with the U.S. and
Europe. According to press reports, Abbas was accompanied by
Nabil Abour Roudeina, Advisor to the Palestinian President,
as well as the Palestinian Ambassador in Tunis. Tunisian
editorials predictably heralded Tunisia and Ben Ali's
"infallible support" for the Palestinian people, especially
in the "difficult and tragic times following the Israeli
aggression."


BALLARD