OPPOSITION PSL PARTY TOES THE (RULING) PARTY LINE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001501

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/MAG (HOPKINS/HARRIS); DRL (JOHNSTONE)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION PSL PARTY TOES THE (RULING) PARTY LINE

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

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) The Ambassador discussed Tunisia's political scene
with opposition Social Liberal Party (PSL) Secretary General
Mondher Thabet on November 5. Thabet expressed his support
for President Ben Ali,s policies, called for increased
bilateral economic cooperation and denounced the recent PDP
hunger strike. Although the Ambassador emphasized the need
for increased freedom of expression and freedom of
association, Thabet did not stray from the usual GOT talking
points. End Summary.

--------------
Political Platform
--------------


2. (C) On November 5, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call
on the GOT-loyal opposition Social Liberal Party (PSL)
Secretary General Mondher Thabet. Thabet began by saying his

SIPDIS
party was in the midst of "refining its political strategy"
to better target young intellectuals. He explained that the
PSL strongly supports separation of church and state
(attributing political unrest in Egypt to "religious
interference in society") and is pro-economic growth. He
elaborated that low unemployment and increased development
are prerequisites for social reform. Thabet told the
Ambassador that the USG should help by supporting the GOT's
economic policy and help lower unemployment in Tunisia. The
Ambassador replied that if Tunisia opened up its markets to
franchises, for example, it would encourage increased
American investment. He added that the Embassy hosted an
interagency economic delegation in September, and that a US
business delegation would be visiting Tunisia in mid-November.

--------------
Campaign Season
--------------


3. (C) The Ambassador noted the importance of the upcoming
presidential and parliamentary elections in 2009. Thabet
told the Ambassador, "We (Tunisians) should profit from Ben
Ali's leadership to prepare for the future." He added that
"Ben Ali is a guarantee of stability, and only Ben Ali can
guarantee a peaceful transition." Thabet made this comment
official on November 14, when he became the first opposition
party leader to officially announce his support for Tunisian
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's candidacy in the 2009
presidential elections.

--------------
Foreign Affairs
--------------


4. (C) Though several prominent civil society activists have
privately thanked the Ambassador for his visit to the
opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) during their
hunger strike (Ref A),Thabet told the Ambassador his visit
was ill-received by civil society. He then criticized, at
length, former PDP Secretary General Nejib Chebbi and opined
that the PDP's strategy was "out of place." He also
denounced the PDP's loose alliance with moderate Islamists,
adding that PDP officials were "naive" to think Islamists
would accept concepts such as the rights of women. Thabet
added that it was "silly" of the PDP to provoke the GOT.


5. (C) The Ambassador responded that while he was the United
States representative to the government of Tunisia, he was
also the United States representative to the Tunisian people.
He said the USG seeks contact and exchange with all parties
that promote democracy. The Ambassador added that the USG
recognizes that the democratic process takes time, but
progress is necessary. He told Thabet that with a strong
track record for promoting women,s' rights and religious
tolerance, Tunisia can afford to pursue further democratic
reform. The Ambassador noted that through the Middle East
Partnership Initiative (MEPI),the Embassy would like to fund
such projects. Thabet responded that the Embassy should
speak to the GOT, rather than civil society in this regard,
so as to "respect sovereignty."

--------------
Comment
--------------


6. (C) For the leader of an opposition party, Thabet spoke
surprisingly little about his own party goals and quite a bit
about the GOT. The PSL is considered to be a party close to
the ruling party, and this was reflected in Thabet's
statements. Judging from his comments, the PSL (like the
GOT) is comfortable with the status quo, and would prefer the
USG concentrate strictly on international investment and
economic development, rather than on increased political
space and freedom of expression. End Comment.
GODEC