Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TUNIS45
2007-01-05 17:23:00
SECRET
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR BRIEFS UK/FRENCH AMBASSADORS ON THREAT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #0045 0051723 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 051723Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2452 INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 1230 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT IMMEDIATE 0822 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 1689 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T TUNIS 000045
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO - GRAY; NEA/MAG - HOPKINS, HARRIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC CASC PGOV TS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BRIEFS UK/FRENCH AMBASSADORS ON THREAT
INFORMATION FROM FM
REF: A. TUNIS 31
B. TUNIS 30
C. TUNIS 16
D. 06 TUNIS 2980
E. 06 TUNIS 2973
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT F. GODEC FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)
S E C R E T TUNIS 000045
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO - GRAY; NEA/MAG - HOPKINS, HARRIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC CASC PGOV TS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BRIEFS UK/FRENCH AMBASSADORS ON THREAT
INFORMATION FROM FM
REF: A. TUNIS 31
B. TUNIS 30
C. TUNIS 16
D. 06 TUNIS 2980
E. 06 TUNIS 2973
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT F. GODEC FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)
1. (S) On January 5, Ambassador briefed British Ambassador
Alan Goulty on the information Foreign Minister Abdallah had
shared regarding the threat to US and UK interests in Tunisia
(septel). Goulty said that his mission had been seeking
further details on the recent security incidents from GOT
counterparts, but to date had been "fobbed off." Goulty was
disturbed that the GOT had followed the group since early
2006 and had not shared the information with intelligence
counterparts. When Ambassador said that he planned to follow
up at his January 9 meeting with the Minister of Interior,
Goulty lamented that he had been waiting since October 2005
for a meeting with the Minister. Goulty added that he was
concerned about the validity of the information, which he
alluded may have been obtained by torturing captured members
of the group.
2. (S) Later on January 5, Ambassador briefed French
Ambassador Serge Degallaix on the same topic. Degallaix said
that he had spoken to Minister of State and Special Advisor
to the President Abdelaziz Ben Dhia on January 4 and MFA
officials on January 5 regarding the security incidents.
However, Degallaix seemed surprised at the more detailed
threat information the Ambassador had received from the
Foreign Minister. Degallaix told Ambassador that he was
awaiting further details, which GOT officials had promised to
share in the near future. He stressed his concern for
greater GOT cooperation and information sharing on this issue
and security matters in general.
3. (S) UK Ambassador Goulty said that on the morning of
January 5, the embassy had shared its draft consular warning
with MFA counterparts, who reassured them that there "was no
threat." Goulty said the language, which was largely
factual, noting the recent GOT exchanges with armed elements,
had been forwarded to London for release to British citizens.
GODEC
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO - GRAY; NEA/MAG - HOPKINS, HARRIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC CASC PGOV TS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BRIEFS UK/FRENCH AMBASSADORS ON THREAT
INFORMATION FROM FM
REF: A. TUNIS 31
B. TUNIS 30
C. TUNIS 16
D. 06 TUNIS 2980
E. 06 TUNIS 2973
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT F. GODEC FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)
1. (S) On January 5, Ambassador briefed British Ambassador
Alan Goulty on the information Foreign Minister Abdallah had
shared regarding the threat to US and UK interests in Tunisia
(septel). Goulty said that his mission had been seeking
further details on the recent security incidents from GOT
counterparts, but to date had been "fobbed off." Goulty was
disturbed that the GOT had followed the group since early
2006 and had not shared the information with intelligence
counterparts. When Ambassador said that he planned to follow
up at his January 9 meeting with the Minister of Interior,
Goulty lamented that he had been waiting since October 2005
for a meeting with the Minister. Goulty added that he was
concerned about the validity of the information, which he
alluded may have been obtained by torturing captured members
of the group.
2. (S) Later on January 5, Ambassador briefed French
Ambassador Serge Degallaix on the same topic. Degallaix said
that he had spoken to Minister of State and Special Advisor
to the President Abdelaziz Ben Dhia on January 4 and MFA
officials on January 5 regarding the security incidents.
However, Degallaix seemed surprised at the more detailed
threat information the Ambassador had received from the
Foreign Minister. Degallaix told Ambassador that he was
awaiting further details, which GOT officials had promised to
share in the near future. He stressed his concern for
greater GOT cooperation and information sharing on this issue
and security matters in general.
3. (S) UK Ambassador Goulty said that on the morning of
January 5, the embassy had shared its draft consular warning
with MFA counterparts, who reassured them that there "was no
threat." Goulty said the language, which was largely
factual, noting the recent GOT exchanges with armed elements,
had been forwarded to London for release to British citizens.
GODEC