MIXED TUNISIAN REACTION TO FREEDOM AGENDA

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TUNIS 001069

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA A/S WELCH FROM AMBASSADOR GODEC
STATE ALSO FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS AND HOPKINS)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL KPAO TS
SUBJECT: MIXED TUNISIAN REACTION TO FREEDOM AGENDA
ACTIVITIES

REF: A. TUNIS 1064


B. TUNIS 985

C. STATE 88465

Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. As requested in Ref C and reported in Ref A,
Post undertook a number of activities in June and July to
promote the Freedom Agenda and draw attention to President
Bush's Prague speech. While many in civil society expressed
their appreciation for the USG's ongoing support for
political reform in Tunisia, the GOT noted its concern with
the Embassy's outreach. The Foreign Minister, however, also
acknowledged for the first time that Tunisia needs further
progress on human rights and democracy. Meanwhile, the
periodic press attacks on those who engage foreign
governments reappeared in late July. End Summary.


2. (C) While Post regularly engages opposition activists to
promote the Freedom Agenda, these contacts welcomed the
President's Prague speech as evidence of the USG's continued
interest in promoting human rights and democracy in Tunisia.
All of our interlocutors appreciated the opportunity to
update the USG on their latest activities and challenges.
They also welcomed our efforts to encourage freedom of
expression and association in Tunisia and asked Post to
continue its dialogue with the GOT on these subjects. In
addition, several thanked the USG for its public statements
in support of Tunisian civil society activists, which send a
strong signal to the GOT and Tunisian public. However, they
added that they were not willing to receive USG financial
support (in the form of MEPI grants, for example) given their
concerns about USG policies in the Middle East.


3. (S) During a July 6 meeting with MFA Chief of Staff Hatem
Atallah, the Ambassador drew Atallah's attention to the
President's Prague speech and noted, in the spirit of "no
surprises," that he would be continuing outreach to
opposition and civil society leaders. Atallah nervously
inquired who the Ambassador planned to meet. Although the
Ambassador did not specify, in a July 24 meeting (Ref B),
Foreign Minister Abdallah noted Post's "repeated meetings"
with members of "illegal," "Islamist" and "extremist"
opposition activists. The Ambassador said Tunisia has an
opportunity to make greater political progress and that the
GOT should listen to the views of all Tunisians, including
those in the opposition, as the Ambassador himself is doing.
Abdallah told the Ambassador that he had learned that,
"Inside the US embassy, Tunisia is the subject of virulent
criticism by Tunisians." Abdallah added that he is "shocked"
by Tunisians who insult their country in front of foreign
governments. Yet, he admitted that "small problems" with
human rights and democracy exist, although GOT officials have
different approaches, with some "open" and others
"conservative" about political reform. During te month of
July, the Ambassador met with a variety of officials on both
ends of the spectrum and pessed them all to support greater
political refom in Tunisia.


4. (C) GOT-loyal journalists tooka similar stance against
diplomatic engagement o civil society in several late July
editorials denouncing independent activists who meet with
foregn embassies as "traitors". A July 29 editorial i the
Arabic daily ash-Shourouq reminded ambassadrs to "stay at
home," and not stick their noses n domestic affairs.
Similarly, a July 31 editorial in the Ministry of Interior
affiliate al-Hadath said "bankrupt individuals" who engage
foreign governments "know nothing of Tunisians, and Tunisians
know nothing of them." Both editorials suggested that
superpowers who claim to be promoting democracy and human
rights are simply engaging in hegemony.


5. (C) Comment: While Post -- and the opposition community --
are used to criticism from the GOT and the media, it is an
unfortunate reminder that Tunisia is making only very slow
progress on Freedom Agenda goals. While the activist
community is not intimidated by the GOT, average Tunisians
are quick to avoid political activities. Freedom of
expression and association remain significant stumbling
blocks to political reform in Tunisia, and there is little
indication that the GOT intends to encourage public discourse
on the country's challenges. Yet, the release of Mohammed
Abbou and recent indications the GOT intends to resolve the
Tunisian Human Rights League crisis suggest that the GOT may,
at a minimum, be taking action to address the most public
blemishes on its democratic facade. We continue our active
engagement of GOT officials -- both the forward-leaning and

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the conservative -- to press for further Freedom Agenda
progress. End Comment.
GODEC