Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TUNIS169
2007-02-02 16:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:  

TUNISIA TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR IRAQI OFFICIALS

Tags:  PGOV PREL SENV AF IZ JA TS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6686
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHTU #0169 0331625
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 021625Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2657
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0048
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0047
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0157
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000169 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG AND NEA/I
NSC FOR ABRAMS AND OSULLIVAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV AF IZ JA TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIA TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR IRAQI OFFICIALS

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT F. GODEC FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000169

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG AND NEA/I
NSC FOR ABRAMS AND OSULLIVAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV AF IZ JA TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIA TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR IRAQI OFFICIALS

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT F. GODEC FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)


1. (C) On January 30, during a meeting with MFA Secretary of
State Saida Chtioui, Ambassador stressed USG hope that
Tunisia would find ways to contribute to efforts in Iraq,
Afghanistan and Sudan. Chtioui told Ambassador that Iraqi
officials would be coming to Tunisia for two training
programs in the coming months. Chtioui said that the GOT
would provide technical experts for these Japanese-funded
programs, the first of which would be related to waste water
management. Chtioui said, "We welcome any suggestions" the
USG may have regarding other Iraqi training needs.
Ambassador noted that the GOI tends to prefer training be
conducted in Iraq. Chtioui responded that this would be
difficult for the GOT given the security situation in Iraq.
Regarding Afghanistan, Chtioui said language difficulties --
particularly the lack of English-speaking Tunisian officials
-- prevented the GOT from offering such programs to the
Afghan government.


2. (C) On February 2, MFA United States Desk Officer Mehdi
Ferchichi provided additional details on the two proposed
programs for Iraqi officials. Ferchichi told PolOff that the
first program, scheduled for March 5-16, 2007, would be
focused on waste water management. Ferchichi said the
Tunisian Embassy in Baghdad had asked the GOI to provide the
names of 25 Iraqi officials to participate in the program,
which is financed by the Japanese International Cooperation
Agency (JICA). Ferchichi said that the second program under
consideration had been requested by the Iraqi Ministry of
Culture. Associated with the USAID-funded "Prosperity"
(Izdihar) project, the program is designed to educate Iraqi
Ministry of Culture officials on intellectual property
rights. Ferchichi said this second request had yet not moved
to the planning stages.


3. (C) COMMENT: To post's knowledge, this is the first time
the GOT has offered technical support and expertise to the
GOI. While GOT officials have often highlighted Tunisian
technical knowledge and willingness to share this knowledge
with developing countries, implementation of programs for
Iraqi officials would be a significant development. Post
will continue to encourage Tunisian support for Iraq and
report GOT progress as appropriate. END COMMENT.
GODEC