ENGAGING THE AMU: TUNISIAN ATTENDANCE AT TECHNICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000347

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS AND HOPKINS)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2018
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL PINR PINS TS
SUBJECT: ENGAGING THE AMU: TUNISIAN ATTENDANCE AT TECHNICAL
EXPERTS' MEETING

REF: A. STATE 28586

B. STATE 21604

Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) On April 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a
diplomatic note confirming that Mokhtar Chaouachi, MFA
Director General for International Organizations and
Conferences, and Tahar Refai, Ministry of Interior Director
General for International Cooperation, will attend the April
9 AMU meeting on youth deradicalization in Washington.


2. (C) BIO NOTES: Refai, who often goes by the name Tahar
Fellous, is well known to the Embassy, having held his
position for a number of years. In June 2007, he made a
presentation on extremist fatwas before a special meeting of
the Arab League Council of Interior Ministers on the rising
terrorist threat. At the time, Refai told PolOff that
Tunisia believes existing religious texts are sufficiently
clear to combat terrorism. He explained that Tunisia has a
three-pronged approach to combating extremism: controlling
religious speech (sermons),imams, and mosques (all of which
are supervised and monitored by the GOT.) Refai can be
friendly and gregarious, or curt and standoffish, depending
on the circumstances and his mood. He appears to enjoy good
relations with the Minister of Interior and understands some
English.


3. (C) Chaouachi, who was appointed in 2006, is not known to
EmbOffs, despite several attempts to meet with him. We
recommend that the Department use his presence as an
opportunity to express USG disappointment that he has never
agreed to an appointment request from Embassy personnel.

Please visit Embassy Tunis' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.c fm
GODEC