CODEL INOUYE PROMOTES US-TUNISIAN TIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001532

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS AND HOPKINS)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV OREP ECON PTER MASS TS
SUBJECT: CODEL INOUYE PROMOTES US-TUNISIAN TIES


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

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) During their November 25-26 visit to Tunisia, Senators
Daniel Inouye and Ted Stevens were warmly welcomed by
Minister of National Defense Kamel Morjane and MFA Secretary
of State Saida Chtioui. The GOT officials, who apologized
President Ben Ali was unavailable to meet the Senators on a
Sunday, stressed Tunisia's political, economic and social
achievements under Ben Ali's leadership. They shared the
GOT's efforts to combat the threat of regional terrorism and
promote regional cooperation. The Senators expressed their
appreciation of Tunisia's efforts and voiced their support
for additional foreign assistance for the Tunisian military.
Chtioui highlighted Tunisian support for USG efforts on the
Israeli-Palestinian issue, Iraq, Afghanistan and Darfur. She
also expressed Tunisian concerns over the draft Global Online
Freedom Act. End Summary.


2. (SBU) During their November 25-26 visit to Tunisia,
Senators Inouye and Stevens were accompanied by Charles Houy
and Margaret Ashworth, Professional Staff Members from the
Senate Defense Appropriation Committee. In addition to their
government meetings, the delegation also visited the American
Battle Monuments Commission North Africa Cemetery and were
hosted by the Ambassador for a dinner with GOT officials,
members of Parliament, and business and cultural contacts.

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TUNISIA: A SUCCESS STORY
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3. (C) Both Minister Morjane and SecState Chtioui stressed
the quality of US-Tunisian relations and Tunisia's social and
economic achievements. Chtioui said that under the
leadership of President Ben Ali, Tunisia had undertaken "deep
political reforms" and that the human rights environment had
also improved. She added that Tunisia hopes to expand its
trade, investment, science and technology, infrastructure,
security and defense relations with the United States.
Senator Inouye said that he was reassured Tunisia had
maintained such a steady course of development. He told
Chtioui that he hoped to spread the lessons and message of
Tunisia to other countries in the world.

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SUPPORTING TUNISIAN CT EFFORTS
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4. (C) Chtioui told CODEL Inouye that Tunisia seeks to combat
the root causes of terrorism, while recognizing that regional
security threats require deterrent mobilization. She
expressed the GOT's appreciation for US support for GOT
counterterrorism efforts, which allows Tunisia's limited
resources to focus on education and development. Morjane
highlighted the threat of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
(AQIM) and said that Tunisia CT efforts are part of the
broader Global War on Terrorism. Inouye said the Senate had
increased the FY-09 foreign assistance for Tunisia as a
demonstration of Congressional support for Tunisia's success.
He asked how the Tunisian military interacts with national
security forces. Morjane explained that there are "many
levels" of cooperation between the Ministries of Defense and
Interior. He said the two ministries were working to
increase interoperability and conduct joint training.


5. (C) Senator Stevens asked if the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
included political and security cooperation. Both Chtioui
and Morjane noted that the Western Sahara issue made greater
AMU cooperation difficult. However, Morjane said that
Tunisian-Algerian cooperation along Tunisia's western borders
was working well, especially at the operational level. Local
commanders can coordinate their efforts on the ground without
having to seek central authority. Morjane added that Tunisia
is trying to ensure Algerian pressure in the border regions
did not drive terrorists across the border into Tunisia.

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INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
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6. (C) More broadly, Chtioui told Senators Inouye and Stevens
that the United States could count on Tunisia's full support
for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian issue and highlighted
that Foreign Minister Abdallah was currently en route to the
Annapolis conference. Tunisia is always ready to support US
efforts to promote a just and lasting peace, said Chtioui.
She also noted Tunisia's support for Iraq's national
integrity and training the GOT had provided for Iraqi
officials over the past year, funded by the Japanese.
Chtioui added that Tunisia was prepared "to do the same" for
Afghanistan. Turning to Sudan, Chtioui told CODEL Inouye
that Tunisia is trying to help, but that it was hard to
convince the Government of Sudan to accept their assistance
because of the lack of a positive dialogue.

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SMITH ACT: CONTROLLING THE INTERNET A "NECESSITY"
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7. (C) Chtioui asked the Senators to support Tunisia's
removal from the Global Online Freedom Act, sponsored by Rep.
Chris Smith. She stressed that Tunisia must take "reasonable
safeguards" to protect foreigners from terrorism and
therefore blocks websites that advocate terrorist acts.
Senator Stevens asked if the act would have a negative impact
on Tunisia. Chtioui said that Tunisia was being "condemned"
for trying to prevent violence. She complained that
individuals who are called terrorists elsewhere, for trying
to access terrorist information on the Internet, are called
"victims" in Tunisia. Chtioui added that it was a
"necessity" for Tunisia to control the Internet to prevent
the spread of hatred and violence. Senators Inouye and
Stevens said that he would look into the bill upon his return
to Washington.


8. (C) Comment: CODEL Inouye's visit was a valuable
opportunity for a high-level exchange of views with the GOT.
Several senior GOT officials and private Tunisians have
expressed great appreciation recently for the renewed
interest members of Congress are taking in Tunisia. End
Comment.


9. (SBU) CODEL Inouye did not clear this cable.
GODEC