TUNISIA: NO AMBASSADOR TO ATTEND LEBANON'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 002787 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG - HARRIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL TS SUBJECT: TUNISIA: NO AMBASSADOR TO ATTEND LEBANON'S NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION REF: SECSTATE 189539 Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT F. GODEC FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (C) On November 21, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche encouraging Tunisia not to attend the Lebanese National Day Reception hosted by President Lahoud on November 22 to Saida Chtioui, MFA Secretary of State for the Americas and Asia. Chtioui said that Tunisia has not had an ambassador in Lebanon for over a year, therefore the sole Tunisian diplomat will be representing Tunisia at the National Day. Chtioui explained that President Ben Ali did not want to appoint a new ambassador, as he is waiting for "things to calm down" before naming someone. Chtioui added that, if Tunisia did have an ambassador in Lebanon, "We would have willingly" supported the U.S. position regarding ambassadorial attendance at the event. ¶2. (C) Ambassador further explained that if Lahoud blocks PM Siniora's participation in the event, the U.S. would not be represented and asked that the GOT follow suit. Chtioui noted the point but did not respond. GODEC