TUNISIANS CONTINUE TO BE SEIZED BY EVENTS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 002227 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA/MAG FOR MHARRIS, NEA/PPD FOR AFERNANDEZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM KMPI KPAO TS SUBJECT: TUNISIANS CONTINUE TO BE SEIZED BY EVENTS IN LEBANON REF: TUNIS 2144 Classified By: David Ballard, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Events in Lebanon continue to dominate Tunisian newspaper headlines and cafe conversations, although less so than in previous weeks. The GOT announced delivery of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Newspapers accused Israel of jeopardizing the cease-fire. Civil society contacts continue to warn us that the war has strengthened Hizballah and Pan-Islamism, and increased the attractiveness of "violent resistance" over democratic reform as a means for change. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The following are this week's reactions from the GOT, the press, and civil society groups on the situation in Lebanon. GOT REACTION -------------- ¶3. (U) According to an official press release, the GOT sent 15 tons of humanitarian aid supplies to Lebanon via Tunisian milair on 21 August (Reftel). Supplies reportedly included food products, medicine, blood, blankets, tents and other "diverse products." Also according to official press releases, President Ben Ali ordered the opening of a special bank account to receive private financial donations for Lebanon. As of August 22 there were no reports on how much money had been collected or when and how it would be disbursed. ¶4. (U) On August 21, local papers reported that while attending the Arab League Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting in Cairo, Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelwaheb Abdallah reiterated President Ben Ali's call for an urgent Arab League summit on the rebuilding of Lebanon and Palestine and an evaluation of the Middle East Peace Process. MEDIA REACTION -------------- ¶5. (U) Following the passage of UNSCR 1701 and the subsequent cease-fire, the dramatic anti-Israel/anti-American tone has somewhat lessened, with the exception of stridently anti-American Arabic newspaper Ash-Shourouq. Newspapers continued to emphasize that Hizballah was the clear victor in the conflict, and wrote that Israeli actions were threatening the cease-fire. Headlines included: "Israeli violations threaten to end the truce" (Ash-Shourouq),"Israel Destroys and We Rebuild; Israel Won't Dare Launch A War With Hizballah" (As-Sabah). CIVIL SOCIETY -------------- ¶6. (C) In recent discussions with MEPI FSN, a broad range of Tunisian civil society contacts, including Tunisian Human Rights League President Mokhtar Trifi, opposition paper Al-Mawqif editor Rachid Hachana, and civil society activist Khemais Chammari discussed the resounding negative impact the recent war has had on the U.S. image and the USG relationship with independent civil society in Tunisia (septel). ¶7. (C) Secular civil society activists have expressed concern that after Hizballah's "victory", Tunisians will regard violent resistance, rather than democratic and civil activism as the most effective means to achieving political goals. While noting a divide between "intellectuals and non-intellectuals", contacts have emphasized that Nasrallah continues to be seen as a hero to many Tunisians -- sentiments fueled by pan-Arab media. BALLARD