POST VIEWS ON FY-07 SECTION 1206 PROPOSALS

S E C R E T TUNIS 000098

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG - HOPKINS, HARRIS AND PM/PPA - COLETTA,
KNOCH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2017
TAGS: MASS PREL TS
SUBJECT: POST VIEWS ON FY-07 SECTION 1206 PROPOSALS

REF: STATE 3112

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


1. (S) In response to reftel, post provides its evaluations
of the following FY-07 Section 1206 proposals applicable to
Tunisia. Post notes that it shared these views directly with
EUCOM via SVTCs on December 18 and 19, 2006. Post thanks
NEA/MAG for facilitating these discussions.


2. (S) Post views on Tunisia-specific 1206 proposals:

- Improve Partner National Intelligence: The proposal as
written is not appropriate for the Tunisian Ministry of
National Defense (MOD),which does not have a domestic
intelligence responsibility. Further, the Tunisian military
has received similar training through IMET. If at a future
date the program were expanded to counterterrorism analysis
and image interpretation training, Post might be willing to
consider Tunisian participation in these elements of the
program.

- Civil Military Support Elements: Post understands from
EUCOM LTC Randy Horton that this program is now targeting
Sahel countries only. As written, this program is not
appropriate for Tunisia. However, post notes that the
Tunisian MOD's has expressed an interest in developing its
disaster relief skills. Post would be interested in this
proposal in the future if it were expanded at a later date to
include a disaster relief component. (NOTE: In FY-06, Post
ODC facilitated meetings between Wyoming and GOT disaster
relief officials, in the context of the State Partnership
Program, and is continuing to support this exchange. END
NOTE.)

- African Maritime Security Capability and Capacity
Improvements: Post believes that the shore-based Automated
Identification Systems (AIS) sets, which are part of this
proposal, would be appropriate for Tunisia.
GODEC