G-8 AMBASSADORS TO SEEK JOINT MEETING WITH GOT

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000324 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV ENRG EAID XF TS SUBJECT: G-8 AMBASSADORS TO SEEK JOINT MEETING WITH GOT Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The G-8 Ambassadors in Tunis have agreed to seek meetings with the GOT Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Interior to raise Tunisia's continuing lack of cooperation on counter-terrorism. Other subjects for discussion will include energy security and African development. A final issue may be Tunisia's slow progress on political freedoms. End Summary. ¶2. (C) At the request of the US, UK and Canadian Ambassadors, Germany's Ambassador to Tunisia, Peter Schmidt, hosted a G-8 lunch on Thursday, March 8 to discuss Tunisia. In addition to Schmidt and Ambassador Godec, attendees included: UK Ambassador Alan Goulty, French Ambassador Serge Degallaix, Russian Ambassador Andrey Polyakov, Canadian Ambassador Bruno Picard, Italian DCM Roberto Calamine, EU Mission Deputy Chief Bernard Philippe and German DCM Michael Freudenberg. ¶3. (C) After a presentation by Schmidt on Germany's G-8 objectives, discussion focused on possible areas of cooperation with Tunisia. The Ambassadors agreed that the GOT has a significant interest in energy efficiency and security. Degallaix noted ongoing efforts to create a Mediterranean power grid, including a possible direct link between Tunisia and Italy. He added that the Tunisians have established a committee to examine the possibility of starting a nuclear power project. The Ambassadors agreed that there are options for possible EU and bilateral cooperation with the Tunisians on energy under the general umbrella of the G-8's work on energy. ¶4. (C) Another focus for the upcoming G-8 summit will be Africa. The Canadian Ambassador said the Tunisians are beginning to provide technical development assistance to Mali and other African countries. He added that the GOT has the capacity to provide such assistance, but would welcome financial support from wealthier countries. Godec suggested that the GOT might also provide assistance to African countries on women's rights and empowerment. The group agreed that Tunisia's "Africa mission" is a possible area for cooperation. ¶5. (C) The German Ambassador then turned to Tunisia's record on democracy, human rights and freedom. Godec briefed the group on US concerns and noted the GOT's unwillingness to accept many proposed MEPI projects. He added that the Embassy was making a renewed effort to secure GOT acceptance. Picard and Goulty agreed on Tunisia's freedom deficit, with Picard noting that additional political freedom might also "unleash the creativity of Tunisians." He suggested that it could add one to 1.5 percent growth to Tunisia's GDP. The group agreed that Tunisia faced a threat from Islamists but that its magnitude was unclear. (Note: The GOT has not been forthcoming with information about the threat and the media is not free to report on it. End Note.) Godec noted that the lack of political freedom might well be encouraging extremism. There was agreement that the GOT had scope to do more to enhance political freedoms, but took no decision on whether to add it to the agenda for a meeting with the GOT. ¶6. (C) Discussion turned to counter-terrorism with several Ambassadors speaking with passion on the GOT's lack of cooperation and the absence of information following the security incidents in late December and early January. There was agreement that the GOT must do more to share information and to cooperate on the common threat from terrorists. ¶7. (C) In summary, Schmidt said he would request either a joint or separate meetings for the G-8 Ambassadors with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah and Minister of the Interior Kacem. Godec proposed further G-8 coordination meetings, and the Schmidt agreed to hold another session soon. ¶8. (C) Comment. The agreement by G-8 Ambassadors, including the EU representative, to seek to meet jointly with senior GOT ministers is an important step. It will, however, not be easy and there is a strong possibility the GOT will stall or even decline a joint meeting. As the French Ambassador remarked after Schmidt outlined the proposed course of action, "Good Luck!" With time and persistence, however, the GOT is likely to agree to the meeting. The challenge then will be to deliver a common message, starting with counter-terrorism but then moving to more difficult subjects, including political freedom. End Comment. GODEC