Special Media Reaction: SecDef Visit to Tunis

UNCLAS TUNIS 000358 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA (GRAY) NEA/RA (FOX) NEA/MAG (LAWRENCE) NEA/PPD (WHITE, AGNEW) NEA/PA NEA/IPA I/GNEA CWG-PD DOD FOR OSD - AXELROD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAO OIIP TS SUBJECT: Special Media Reaction: SecDef Visit to Tunis February 10 - 11, 2006 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Tunisian broadcast and print media prominently covered the February 10 - 11 visit of Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to Tunis. The local SIPDIS reporting on the visit emphasized the positive strategic alliance between the U.S. and Tunisia as well as the Secretary's laudatory remarks on Tunisia's "voice of SIPDIS moderation and tolerance in the region." While the broadcast media did not reflect either the Secretary's reference to terrorist attacks in Djerba or his comment that "political and economic freedom go hand in hand," the written press coverage accurately reported on these statements. Comment. The willingness of the GOT to allow accurate print press coverage of comments by U.S. officials on the need for political reform as well as to permit public reminders of the April 2002 terrorist attack in Djerba represent a positive evolution in the Tunisian media scene. End summary and comment. ¶2. (U) On February 11, Tunisian television and radio news (both government-owned) led with stories about the visit of SecDef to Tunisia. The television dedicated 5 minutes at the top of their 2000 news hour to the visit featuring footage of the meeting with President Ben Ali, the press point at the MOD, and the meeting at the MFA. The coverage focused on the discussion with President Ben Ali, highlighting that the two officials talked about ways to enforce the Tunisian-American relationship. Broadcast media also highlighted President Ben Ali's discussion of developments in Iraq and the Middle East, focusing on the Palestinian issue and the importance of continuing financial aid to the Palestinian people as well as on the President's call for dialogue and moderation in order to achieve peace and stability in the region. The Tunisian television coverage of the Secretary of Defense's comments at the MOD was limited to SIPDIS the following portion of his statement: "Tunisia has long been an important voice of moderation and tolerance in this region and played a key role in confronting extremists not just within this country, but in the area as well. We appreciate those important contributions. The United States lauds Tunisia's economic and social progress." The broadcast media did not cover either the Secretary's reference to the terrorist attacks in Tunisia SIPDIS or his statement that "political and economic freedom go hand-in-hand." 3.(U) All of the February 12 Tunisian daily newspapers placed two articles prepared by the government news agency (TAP),the first on the meeting with President Ben Ali and the second a summary of the Secretary's statement at the MOD. Most papers headlined SecDef's statement that "Tunisia has long been an important voice of moderation and tolerance in this region." (Sample headlines in para 6.) In the latter article, TAP accurately reported on the entirety of the Secretary's comments, including the terrorist attacks in Tunisia and the statement that "political and economic freedom go hand-in-hand." Two newspapers also placed articles on the Secretary's meeting with the MFA, highlighting the SIPDIS friendly bilateral relations between our two countries. 4.(U) The lead editorial in the government-owned French language daily "La Presse" reminded the reader of the high-level exchange of visitors between the US and Tunisia over the past three years and noted that this bilateral relationships was based "on principles of mutual respect and willingness to act in the service of shared interests." The editorial went on to praise President Ben Ali and to affirm that Tunisia is the model "of moderation and tolerance." The lead editorial in the ruling party French language daily "Le Renouveau" echoed these same themes. ¶5. (SBU) Comment. While the GOT publicly spun the visit as further proof of strong American support for President Ben Ali and the current policies of the Tunisian government, it was noteworthy that it also allowed print media coverage of SecDef's reference to the terrorist attack on Djerba and his remark linking economic and political freedom in the country. The Tunisian press rarely, if ever, mentions the Djerba attacks and similar comments on the need for political reform made by SecState Powell during his November 2003 visit were not only censored, but were even rewritten to include praise for Tunisia's human rights record. The print coverage of the SecDef's remarks on these two subjects was probably allowed because they echo statements that that GOT often makes regarding the importance of economic progress as a precursor to democracy. This does, however, represent a small, but positive, evolution on the part of the Tunisian print media, which has previously heavily edited USG statements on the need for political reform in Tunisia. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the broadcast media, which carefully edited out such references from the coverage of this visit. End Comment. ¶6. (U) Sample headlines on the visit include: "La Presse" (government-owned French language daily): "President Ben Ali receives Mr. Donald Rumsfeld: Tunisia- USA: an important strategic partnership" "Declaration of Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, American Secretary of Defense: `Tunisia has always been a voice of moderation and tolerance.'" "Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with the American Secretary of Defense: Reinforcement of Bilateral Relations and Seizing all Opportunities" "Le Renouveau" (ruling party French language daily): "President Ben Ali receives Mr. Donald Rumsfeld: Willingness to increase friendly relations and cooperation to the highest level." "'Tunisia, voice of moderation and tolerance,' declares Rumsfeld." The lead editorial in this newspaper also praised Tunisian- American relations noting that "Between the USA and Tunisian there is a strong friendship, mutual respect and understanding that has always marked the secular relationship that exists between the two countries." "Ash Shourouq" (private Arabic language daily): "Bilateral relations and current events in Ben Ali's meeting with Rumsfeld." "Rumsfeld: Tunisia a voice of moderation and tolerance." "Minister of Foreign Affairs discusses with Rumsfeld ways to push forward bilateral relations." "Le Temps" (private French language daily): "Chief of State receives the American Secretary of Defense: Cooperation and strategic partnership" "Donald Rumsfeld: Tunisia, voice of moderation and tolerance" "As Sabah" (private Arabic language daily): "President Ben Ali receives the American Minister of Defense: Reinforcing the joint strategic goals between the two countries. Necessity of relying on peaceful and legal means to resolve problems." "Rumsfeld declaration: Tunisia is a voice of moderation and tolerance and plays a key role in fighting terrorism in the region." "Le Quotidien" (private French language daily): "Ben Ali - Rumsfeld meeting: Examination of Tunisian-American cooperation and regional questions" "Donald Rumsfeld: `Tunisia, voice of moderation and tolerance.'" HUDSON