Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TUNIS2772
2006-11-17 10:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:  

Erroneous Media Reports of a U.S./Tunisia Free Trade

Tags:  KIPR ECON ETRD TS 
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VZCZCXRO1995
PP RUEHTRO
DE RUEHTU #2772 3211010
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171010Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2229
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0818
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 7347
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1214
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT PRIORITY 0806
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1667
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 8269
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY 0009
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 4020
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS TUNIS 002772 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS) AND EB/IPE
STATE PASS USTR (BELL),USPTO (ADLIN/POGODA)
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/ONE (ROTH AND MASON),ADVOCACY CTR (JAMES),AND
CLDP (TEJTEL)
CASABLANCA FOR FCS (ORTIZ)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ECON ETRD TS

SUBJECT: Erroneous Media Reports of a U.S./Tunisia Free Trade
Agreement

REF: Tunis 2771

UNCLAS TUNIS 002772

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS) AND EB/IPE
STATE PASS USTR (BELL),USPTO (ADLIN/POGODA)
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/ONE (ROTH AND MASON),ADVOCACY CTR (JAMES),AND
CLDP (TEJTEL)
CASABLANCA FOR FCS (ORTIZ)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ECON ETRD TS

SUBJECT: Erroneous Media Reports of a U.S./Tunisia Free Trade
Agreement

REF: Tunis 2771


1. (U) Local news media recently published an article indicating
that despite a relative slowdown of talks between the two parties,
the U.S. and Tunisia were exploring opportunities aimed at
concluding a Free Trade Agreement and mentioning that work groups
have been set up to look into the services sector and IPR. It was
also reported that in order to conclude an FTA with the United
States, Tunisia would have to be willing to undertake some difficult
commitments in such fields as updating their judicial system in
order to promote transparency and to encourage the participation of
the private sector in the process. This was followed a few days
later by the publication of an erroneous Italian Press Agency
article indicating that the United States and Tunisia had signed an
FTA.


2. (SBU) On querying the Ministry of Development and International
Cooperation (MDIC) about the probable source of these articles,
Econoff was told that the Italian press article was probably just a
bad translation of the Tunisian article. According to MDIC, the
Tunisian piece was "obviously" written by "a well-informed source or
a person who knows exactly what has been achieved within the TIFA
process so far."


3. (SBU) Comment: Given that the GOT to a large degree controls the
domestic media, the publication of such an article is not a
coincidence. Rather, it may represent a GOT signal of renewed
interest in the TIFA process. In this regard, Post will continue to
watch closely to see whether the removal of pirated optical discs
(Reftel) will be extended throughout the retail sector. Post will
also watch for other indications that the GOT is serious about
reinvigorating the TIFA process. End Comment.

Godec