BEN ALI'S NEW YEAR'S SPEECH TO DIPLOMATIC CORPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000252

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STATE FOR NEA/RA AND NEA/MAG - LAWRENCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV PINR TS
SUBJECT: BEN ALI'S NEW YEAR'S SPEECH TO DIPLOMATIC CORPS
REINFORCES MODERATE MESSAGE


Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM HUDSON FOR REASONS 1.5 (b) AND (d)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 2, Ambassador, along with the
entire resident and non-resident Diplomatic Corps, was
invited to present New Year's greetings to President Ben Ali.
In addition to personally greeting all ambassadors, Ben Ali
delivered a speech outlining GOT political priorities. The
President noted the government's efforts to "reinforce the
democratic structure" in 2005. Internationally, Ben Ali
reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to the Arab Maghreb Union,
the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference and
the African Union, while noting that the UN remains the "most
appropriate framework to find solutions to international
problems." He also stressed Tunisia's continued support of
peace in both Palestine and Iraq. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Ambassador, along with approximately one hundred other
heads of diplomatic missions, delivered New Year's greetings
to President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali on February 2. Also in
attendance were: ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD)
First Vice President Hamed Karoui, Prime Minister Mohamed
Ghannouchi, President of the Chamber of Deputies Fouad
M'bazaa, President of the Chamber of Advisors Abdallah
Kallal, members of the RCD Politburo, government, prominent
organizations, advisory councils and state entities, and
representatives of regional and international organizations.
The dean of the diplomatic corps, Omani Ambassador Ali bin
Ahmad al-Issani, delivered introductory remarks. (NOTE: The
Ambassador saw Ben Ali only briefly welcome the Syrian and
Iranian ambassadors, while speaking at length with the
ambassadors of China, South Korea and France. Ben Ali used
his moment with the Ambassador to confirm his availability
for an upcoming Saturday meeting with Secretary Rumsfeld. END
NOTE.)


3. (SBU) Ben Ali began his speech (copies of which were
distributed after the event) by noting government efforts to
"reinforce the democratic edifice," particularly as it
relates to political parties and the press. He went on to
highlight specific achievements, such as establishing the
Chamber of Advisors, enlarging the Higher Communication
Council to include different parts of Tunisian society,
diversifying the media landscape and encouraging private
initiative in the media, and entrusting the president of the
Higher Committee for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
with receiving the concerns and suggestions of political
parties and civil society.


4. (C) Regarding the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU),Ben Ali said
he is working with the leaders of other member countries "to
strengthen the bonds of cooperation...in such a way to give
the desired impetus to our shared work in all fields." He
added, "I am convinced that our Union today needs a pause to
overcome the obstacles impeding the completion of its
establishment and the launch of its structures and
institutions." (COMMENT: Ben Ali's focus on the AMU is in
part reflective of the January appointment of former
presidential advisor and foreign minister Habib Ben Yahia as
Secretary General of the AMU. Ben Yahia is likely to

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encourage the resolution of outstanding conflicts, while
supporting any positive AMU dialogue or action. END COMMENT.)


5. (SBU) President Ben Ali commended the Arab League for the
results achieved "in implementing the Tunis and Algiers
Summit resolutions...regarding modernity and progress and
contributing to the firm rooting of the values of dialogue
and tolerance in the world." (NOTE: This passing reference
to the ambitious May 2005 Tunis Declaration is slightly
exaggerated, as real progress on the proposed reforms is
unclear. END NOTE.) Ben Ali added that Tunisia "will
continue its support for dialogue among civilizations and
religions, consecrating world security and peace." Tunisia,
as part of the Organization of Islamic Conference, also "will
pursue the dissemination of the values of moderation...and
the rejection of extremism and violence."


6. (SBU) On Palestine, Ben Ali reaffirmed Tunisia's support
for the Palestinian cause and renewed his call to "the
international community and all influential parties,
particularly the Quartet, to continue efforts to establish a
just, durable and comprehensive peace." He added, "We hope
that 2006 will be a year of serious dialogue and an
international consensus allowing the Palestinian people to
recover their legitimate national rights and establish an
independent state." The President also said Tunisia hopes
that Iraq "will be able to achieve concord and national
unity...so it can devote its efforts to reconstruction and
development, within a context of stability and serenity."



7. (SBU) Commenting on challenges facing the world, the
President said that the United Nations and its institutions
remain "the most appropriate framework to coordinate efforts
and find conciliatory solutions." He added, "We hope the
endeavors for years to reform will lead to the desired
results that reinforce its credibility, efficiency and
position on the international scene." Ben Ali also noted the
deep-rooted relations with American and Asian countries,
which are "based on dialogue, consultation and cooperation,"
as well as its important relations with other Mediterranean
and African countries. The President's comments largely
focused on development and areas of economic and commercial
cooperation that "serve our mutual interests."


8. (C) COMMENT: Although Ben Ali's speech was specifically
directed to a foreign audience in this case, his comments
were entirely reflective of broader national goals. Tunisia
rarely seeks to independently drive international issues, but
clearly is a voice of moderation, dialogue and peace in
regional discussions. These policies represent Tunisia's
helpful international engagement that the GOT so often
highlights with foreign officials.


9. (C) COMMENT, CONT.: Ben Ali's comments on democratic
change in Tunisia are also representative of the political
reform agenda that GOT officials regularly tell us is a
national priority. While the achievements he notes are
commendable, it is not clear that they have any tangible
impact on civil society development or encourage political
participation among average Tunisians. END COMMENT.


10. (C) HEALTH UPDATE: Ben Ali appeared robust - standing and
greeting heads of diplomatic missions and senior GOT
officials for well over an hour. He was clearly engaged and
spoke specifics with practically each chief of mission he
greeted.
HUDSON