Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TUNIS2227
2006-08-25 14:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:  

TUNISIANS CONTINUE TO BE SEIZED BY EVENTS IN

Tags:  PREL PHUM KMPI KPAO TS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #2227 2371433
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 251433Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1700
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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)

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