Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TUNIS985
2007-07-24 16:00:00
SECRET
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
TUNISIAN FM ADMITS MORE FREEDOM NEEDED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #0985/01 2051600 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 241600Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3560 INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T TUNIS 000985
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO (WELCH AND GRAY),NEA/PI, AND NEA/MAG
(HARRIS AND HOPKINS)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2017
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIAN FM ADMITS MORE FREEDOM NEEDED
REF: STATE 88465
Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) AND (d)
-------
SUMMARY
-------
S E C R E T TUNIS 000985
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO (WELCH AND GRAY),NEA/PI, AND NEA/MAG
(HARRIS AND HOPKINS)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2017
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIAN FM ADMITS MORE FREEDOM NEEDED
REF: STATE 88465
Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) AND (d)
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (S) Foreign Minister Abdallah used a July 24 meeting with
the Ambassador on other topics to express his concern about
Post's engagement of independent opposition figures.
Ambassador reminded Abdallah of the USG's commitment to the
Freedom Agenda and encouraged greater political reform. In a
first, Abdallah admitted that there are problems with human
rights and democracy in Tunisia. Further, he said there is a
divide within the GOT about the speed of reform. End Summary.
--------------
EMBASSY ACTIVITIES DISTURBING
--------------
2. (S) During a July 24 meeting requested by the Ambassador,
Foreign Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah expressed his concerns
about Embassy efforts to engage political opposition. In an
apparent reference to Post's monthly Human Rights and
Democracy roundtable series and to the Ambassador's meetings
with opposition and civil society leaders, Abdallah noted
"repeated meetings" with members of "illegal," "Islamist,"
and "extremist" opposition activists. Abdallah told the
Ambassador that he had learned that, "Inside the US embassy,
Tunisia is the subject of virulent criticism by Tunisians."
While criticism is okay, Abdallah said, these individuals are
spreading lies and false information. Abdallah added that he
is "shocked" by Tunisians who insult their country in front
of foreign governments. He took particular umbrage with the
fact that some had alleged that Tunisia had regressed since
President Ben Ali came to power in 1987.
--------------
FREEDOM AGENDA FOREMOST
--------------
3. (S) Abdallah asked the Ambassador if "something had
changed" since his June visit to Washington. As reftel
instructed, the Ambassador highlighted President Bush's
Prague speech on freedom and said that the embassy has an
obligation to meet with opposition groups. The Ambassador
said Tunisia has an opportunity to make greater political
progress and that the GOT should listen to the views of all
Tunisians, including those in the opposition, as the
Ambassador himself is doing. Abdallah said that it is good
the Ambassador is meeting with many Tunisians to learn more
about the country, but added that the truth must be
contrasted with "gratuitous accusations."
--------------
POLITICAL "PROBLEMS"
--------------
4. (S) Abdallah said that Tunisia is advancing, but agreed
that "there are some small problems with human rights and
freedom." However, Abdallah noted that not everyone in the
GOT agrees about the pace of political reform. He told the
Ambassador that, "Some are open, others are conservative."
Abdallah agreed that communication between all Tunisians is
important and thanked the Ambassador for the "frank and
transparent spirit" that currently exists between the USG and
GOT.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
5. (S) This conversation represents the most frank exchange
with the Foreign Minister on the freedom deficit in Tunisia
since his appointment in August 2005. Although he has in the
past been surly when discussing political opposition, in
this case Abdallah seemed truly aware of the negative impact
GOT policies have on Tunisia's foreign and domestic agenda.
His views on the GOT's internal divide on the pace of reform
match those shared by a limited number of other senior
officials. They also are indicative of a political
"schizophrenia" that many civil society activists believe is
responsible for the GOT's uneven approach to the opposition.
End Comment.
6. (S) Bio Note: For the second time in recent meetings,
Abdallah waxed eloquent at the conclusion of the meeting
about his admiration for the United States. He discussed
several of the states and cities he has visited, including
Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and underscored his
affinity for US culture.
GODEC
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO (WELCH AND GRAY),NEA/PI, AND NEA/MAG
(HARRIS AND HOPKINS)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2017
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIAN FM ADMITS MORE FREEDOM NEEDED
REF: STATE 88465
Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) AND (d)
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (S) Foreign Minister Abdallah used a July 24 meeting with
the Ambassador on other topics to express his concern about
Post's engagement of independent opposition figures.
Ambassador reminded Abdallah of the USG's commitment to the
Freedom Agenda and encouraged greater political reform. In a
first, Abdallah admitted that there are problems with human
rights and democracy in Tunisia. Further, he said there is a
divide within the GOT about the speed of reform. End Summary.
--------------
EMBASSY ACTIVITIES DISTURBING
--------------
2. (S) During a July 24 meeting requested by the Ambassador,
Foreign Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah expressed his concerns
about Embassy efforts to engage political opposition. In an
apparent reference to Post's monthly Human Rights and
Democracy roundtable series and to the Ambassador's meetings
with opposition and civil society leaders, Abdallah noted
"repeated meetings" with members of "illegal," "Islamist,"
and "extremist" opposition activists. Abdallah told the
Ambassador that he had learned that, "Inside the US embassy,
Tunisia is the subject of virulent criticism by Tunisians."
While criticism is okay, Abdallah said, these individuals are
spreading lies and false information. Abdallah added that he
is "shocked" by Tunisians who insult their country in front
of foreign governments. He took particular umbrage with the
fact that some had alleged that Tunisia had regressed since
President Ben Ali came to power in 1987.
--------------
FREEDOM AGENDA FOREMOST
--------------
3. (S) Abdallah asked the Ambassador if "something had
changed" since his June visit to Washington. As reftel
instructed, the Ambassador highlighted President Bush's
Prague speech on freedom and said that the embassy has an
obligation to meet with opposition groups. The Ambassador
said Tunisia has an opportunity to make greater political
progress and that the GOT should listen to the views of all
Tunisians, including those in the opposition, as the
Ambassador himself is doing. Abdallah said that it is good
the Ambassador is meeting with many Tunisians to learn more
about the country, but added that the truth must be
contrasted with "gratuitous accusations."
--------------
POLITICAL "PROBLEMS"
--------------
4. (S) Abdallah said that Tunisia is advancing, but agreed
that "there are some small problems with human rights and
freedom." However, Abdallah noted that not everyone in the
GOT agrees about the pace of political reform. He told the
Ambassador that, "Some are open, others are conservative."
Abdallah agreed that communication between all Tunisians is
important and thanked the Ambassador for the "frank and
transparent spirit" that currently exists between the USG and
GOT.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
5. (S) This conversation represents the most frank exchange
with the Foreign Minister on the freedom deficit in Tunisia
since his appointment in August 2005. Although he has in the
past been surly when discussing political opposition, in
this case Abdallah seemed truly aware of the negative impact
GOT policies have on Tunisia's foreign and domestic agenda.
His views on the GOT's internal divide on the pace of reform
match those shared by a limited number of other senior
officials. They also are indicative of a political
"schizophrenia" that many civil society activists believe is
responsible for the GOT's uneven approach to the opposition.
End Comment.
6. (S) Bio Note: For the second time in recent meetings,
Abdallah waxed eloquent at the conclusion of the meeting
about his admiration for the United States. He discussed
several of the states and cities he has visited, including
Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and underscored his
affinity for US culture.
GODEC