CODEL CRAMER FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC AND SECURITY TIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TUNIS 000189 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS) AND H E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL OREP ECON PTER TS SUBJECT: CODEL CRAMER FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC AND SECURITY TIES Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) During his February 21-23 visit to Tunisia, Representative Bud Cramer (D-AL) was warmly welcomed by GOT officials, who were familiar with his role as co-founder of the Tunisia Caucus and eager to express their hopes for stronger bilateral ties. GOT officials stressed the need for more investment in Tunisia to help the country combat the growing unemployment of college graduates and spur economic growth. Several officials focused on the importance of greater security cooperation between the two countries and GOT disappointment at the projected FY2009 FMF levels for Tunisia, particularly given Tunisia's efforts to combat regional terrorism. The congressman also met with civil society leaders, who provided a bleak picture of freedom of expression issues in the country. End Summary. -------------- MDIC HOPES FOR US INVESTMENT -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In his meeting with Minister for Development and International Cooperation Jouini, Congressman Cramer said the United States "can do better" for Tunisia, but warned that American companies would be concerned about "a level playing field." He asked what challenges the GOT is facing regarding the economy. Minister Jouini acknowledged that job creation is currently a problem, as that the government needs to help create 85-90,000 new jobs annually. Jouini said that the Tunisian economy would need the growth rate to rise 1 1/2 points a year to create these jobs (i.e., to a real GDP growth rate of 6-7 percent annually),and the government hopes to do so by further encouraging competition, openness and integration into the world economy. Minister Jouini also pointed to rising prices of Tunisia's imports, saying the hikes of the last two years have put pressure on the economy. However, he noted that the GOT has managed to keep the state deficit to a manageable 3 percent of GDP. ¶3. (SBU) In response to Congressman Creamer's point about the possibility of US businesses opening franchises in Tunisia, Jouini said that the issue, along with the question of an Open Skies agreement with the US and establishing financial centers, was being discussed in the GOT. He expressed his hope for movement with the US-Tunisia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA),noting the government was ready to expand its economic horizons beyond Europe. Jouini spoke of the clear need for liberalizing certain economic sectors, but cautioned that the GOT needed to be prepared before it does so. He explained that the GOT had learned that competitiveness would only come with increased productivity. The minister suggested that the US might aid this process by providing technical assistance and vocational training, and said he could "think of other ways to cooperate". ¶4. (SBU) Congressman Cramer raised Tunisair's tender for updating its fleet, stressing that he hoped the GOT would "give a fair shot to Boeing" when it reviews bids. Jouini nodded and said that he "hope(d) Boeing will be competitive enough". He then used this as a segue to mention again his observation that American companies were "almost absent" in Tunisia, and stressed that it was necessary to have companies on the ground with whom to build relationships. He recalled the 2007 visit to Tunisia of Steve Ballmer, the chairman of Microsoft, and pointed out that after his personal appearance the GOT signed several contracts with the company. Jouini mentioned that European and Asian companies have opened branches in Tunisia, which aids their competitiveness. -------------- CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES TALKS TRADE AND TERRORISM -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Fouad M'bazaa, was eager to discuss how to "revitalize" Tunisian-American friendship, and started off his meeting with the congressman by asking him to send his colleagues to visit Tunisia as well. M'bazaa said that the West's values of "liberty, freedom and economic growth" were identical to Tunisia's, and that they were a "solid, serious and stable" country who was seeking stronger ties and friendship with the US. When Representative Cramer asked for the parliamentarian leader's honest assessment of US-Tunisia ties, M'bazaa told him that US companies needed to make "an extra effort" in Tunisia if they were ever going to compete with their European counterparts here. He said that although Tunisia no TUNIS 00000189 002.8 OF 003 longer needs financial aid, it still requires help, and that investments would be one way to offer this assistance. Representative Cramer stressed that US companies would be scrutinizing legal and judicial structures, as well as the stability of the government, before investing. ¶6. (SBU) When the congressman raised the threat of al Qaeda, M'bazaa said that Arab countries are "in greater danger" than the West, and explained that this is why the GOT is so "vigilant". He complained that sometimes it is not understood "why we are so hard on people," but said the United States should be aware that Tunisia and its regional neighbors are on the front lines of fighting terrorists; citing Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan as examples. M'bazaa then said part of the problem was satellite channels from the Gulf "preaching murder". In order to help prevent the spread of terrorist ideology, the USG should: solidify a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, stabilize Iraq and then withdraw troops, and show that the US is not only interested in war by investing in developing African nations. He urged the US to "promote liberty and democracy without imposing them." On the margins of the meeting, Cramer discussed with the leader of the Chamber of Deputies group on the United States, Tijani Haddad, the possibilities of contact between the group and the Tunisia Caucus. -------------- -------------- MOD WOULD SEE FUNDING AS "AN INDICATION OF FRIENDSHIP" -------------- -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Minister Morjane began his meeting with Congressman Cramer by discussing his vision of the Tunisian military; to defend Tunisia and the global fight against terrorism. Morjane said that since September 11, the military's focus has been on flexibility and mobilization, particularly along Tunisia's borders with Algeria. He pointed out that the leaders of the terrorist group that fought with Tunisian military forces in December 2006/January 2007 entered from Algeria, and explained that he believed that country was losing younger and younger children to jihadist movements. He too mentioned the satellite channels from the Gulf polluting young minds, and said that although the December 2006/January 2007 clashes between GOT security forces and terrorists were frightening for a Tunisian public unused to violence, the "good side" was that it made them realize the reality of the danger. "Terrorists come out of the best schools in the world," he said, and fighting terrorism required a comprehensive view of things. He urged the US to begin to "take into account people's feelings in the region" and to focus on ending the struggle between Israel and Palestine. ¶8. (C) Turning to US assistance for the military, Congressman Cramer noted that USG resources are spread thin, and that although it has been "tough times with budgets", he would use his voice on the House Appropriations Committee to stress his concern about the proposed US commitment to Tunisia for FY2009 Foreign Military Financing (FMF). He suggested that during the DefMin's visit to Washington in May, the Tunisian Embassy in Washington could hold an event to raise awareness about the needs of the Tunisian military. Morjane smiled and said that he had promised himself that he would not bring up FMF. He went on to opine that funding levels are seen as "an indication of friendship and the importance given to our relations." He claimed that it was not an issue of US $10 million per se, but that Tunisia considers itself a US partner and ally, and had expected FMF to be kept at a base level. He said "we know it is our responsibility" to provide protection to the country, but "we are counting on our friends" to help. Morjane said he was eager for any new technology the US could offer. He highlighted the army's need for night vision goggles and radar equipment to help monitor Tunisia's 1400 kilometer land border. He expressed a hope for better intelligence coordination between Tunisia and its US and European allies. -------------- MFA SUMMARIZES THE KEY POINTS -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Minister Abdallah focused his comments on regional terrorism. He noted Tunisia is fortunate to have a homogeneous society, with 80 percent of Tunisians living in family-owned homes, and an almost 100 percent of children in school. He discussed President Ben Ali's initiatives to teach moderate Islam in schools, and to "get rid of all the old traditions" that were "in contradiction to the spirit of modernization and tolerance." However, Abdallah did reiterate the concern that young Tunisians are vulnerable to al Qaeda propaganda, and seemed leery of the dangers of the Internet. Despite this, he remained confident that TUNIS 00000189 003.2 OF 003 "extremism would come from the outside" and thus required extra vigilance at the borders. Here, he inserted a plea for more sophisticated equipment to help the Tunisian military guard the borders, and expressed distress at the projected FMF numbers. Congressman Cramer reviewed briefly the budget process, and said he thought "we could get that figure up". Abdallah said this was "wonderful news" and that he hoped they could count on Congress for the same level of aid they received last year. ¶10. (SBU) The minister wrapped up the meeting by talking about the strong security cooperation shared by Tunisia with Algeria, Libya and Moroccans. He particularly emphasized security relations with Algeria; saying they "work very closely together." He then raised the need for a United Nations code of conduct on cooperation against terrorism, and the importance of understanding different cultures and religions through conferences and seminars, such as those proposed by Ben Ali in the form of his Promotion of Dialogues Between Civilizations program. Congressman Cramer suggested that Tunisian officials address an upcoming session of the anti-terrorism caucus, of which he is a founding member. Abdallah thanked the congressman for "taking us in the right direction". -------------- THE PRESS AND CIVIL SOCIETY -------------- ¶11. (U) On the second day of his visit, Congressman Cramer visited a battered women's shelter in Tunis, where he was given a tour of the facility, introduced to staff and clientele, and shown a presentation. The partly USG-funded humanitarian assistance project provided the congressman with a glimpse of some of the ways in which the Embassy is engaging local groups to help improve and strengthen social services. ¶12. (C) Congressman Cramer also met with Maya Jribi (Secretary General of the opposition Progressive Democratic Party),retired Tunisian ambassador Ahmed Ounaies, lawyer Bochra Belhadj Hamida, and journalist Ridha Kefi to listen to their concerns. The participants focused mainly on the need for increased freedom of expression, though they also advocated increased freedom of association and discussed the factors contributing to low political participation. Ambassador Ounaies and Jribi concentrated on the obstacles faced by independent political parties, ranging from limited access to the media to voter apathy due to governmental corruption. Ounaies opined that disenfranchising people would ultimately discourage and then radicalize youth. Kefi explained the many challenges faced by the media, ranging from indirect censorship to withholding of government advertising (which comprises the vast majority in Tunisia) and refusing to authorize new publications outright. Belhadj Hamida added that the government's determination to control all aspects of society was causing Tunisians to seek refuge in religion out of frustration rather than piety. This, she worried, would ultimately jeopardize the advancements won by women under President Bourguiba. The Congressman commented that the participants were raising issues that had not been discussed previously during his visit, and thanked them for voicing their concerns. -------------- CONCLUSION -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Congressman Cramer's fourth visit to Tunisia was productive and a success. It opened new possibilities for US-Tunisian cooperation, notably in the legislative area. GOT officials raised their concerns about FMF numbers, and were not hesitant to make the case that they need updated military equipment and technology. The desire for increased US investment in Tunisia was another important topic and Congressman Cramer pressed Boeing's bid to provide planes to Tunisair. Finally, the congressman was also able to hear from non-governmental sources, who provided an additional perspective on Tunisia and its challenges. ¶14. (U) Rep. Cramer did not have the opportunity to clear this message before his departure from Tunisia. GODEC