APPROACH TO AIRLINES ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS

S E C R E T TUNIS 000414 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS AND HOPKINS) AND EEB/TRA/OTP (EMERY AND DAYTON),AND S/CT NSC FOR DIASCRO E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018 TAGS: PTER EAIR ECON TS SUBJECT: APPROACH TO AIRLINES ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS REF: STATE 37910 Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) On April 24, the Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on stemming the flow of foreign fighters to MFA Director General (Assistant Secretary equivalent) for the Americas and Asia Elyas Kasri. Given the Ministry of Interior (MOI) screening system used at Tunisian airports, Kasri said the that the Ambassador was "wise" to raise the issue with the GOT rather than directly with Tunisair. Kasri said that the MOI filters all passengers before they reach the boarding area. He asked if there was any indication that the MOI or Tunisair was not taking necessary steps to stem the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq. The Ambassador said that the presence of Tunisians in Iraq suggested more could be done. Kasri promised to convey the points to appropriate authorities. ¶2. (S) Comment. The MOI conducts exit screening on all departing passengers on all airlines and maintains a strict monopoly over all security and terrorism issues in Tunisia. Given this reality, any demarche to Tunisair would be poorly received by the airline and the GOT. Moreover, the fact that Tunisair is a 75 percent state-owned entity makes us confident the message will be received. End Comment. Please visit Embassy Tunis' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.c fm GODEC