Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TUNIS414
2008-04-25 13:24:00
SECRET
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
APPROACH TO AIRLINES ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #0414 1161324 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 251324Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4865 INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 7674 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 8553 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
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)
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
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