Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TUNIS104
2009-02-23 15:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
TUNISIA ISSUES STATEMENT SUPPORTING BAHRAIN'S
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #0104 0541549 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231549Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5997 INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA PRIORITY 0122
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000104
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG (PATTERSON/HAYES)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO IR TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIA ISSUES STATEMENT SUPPORTING BAHRAIN'S
SOVEREIGNTY
Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000104
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG (PATTERSON/HAYES)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO IR TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIA ISSUES STATEMENT SUPPORTING BAHRAIN'S
SOVEREIGNTY
Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) After statements by Ali Akbar Natiq Nuri, advisor to
Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, regarding Bahrain's
sovereignty, an authorized source in the GOT issued a
statement in support of Bahrain.
2. (U) The text of the Tunisian statement (as translated by
the official Agence Tunis Afrique Presse) is as follows:
Tunis, February 21, 2009 (TAP) - In response to a question on
the recent Iranian statements on Bahrain, an authorized
source from the Foreign Ministry gave the following answer:
"Based on its commitment to the principles of respect for
state's sovereignty and non-interference in their affairs,
and in reaffirmation of the fraternal relations binding it to
the Kingdom of Bahrain and Iran, Tunisia deplores the
statements prejudicial to Bahrain's sovereignty and
independence, or questioning its Arab origin; these
statements run against the principles of good neighborhoods
and the bonds of brotherhood which should distinguish
relations tying Islamic states.
Tunisia also calls for concord in relations between all
states of the region, in order to strengthen the ties of
co-operation and of constructive fraternal rapprochement, and
the climate of confidence among theses countries, to serve
the region's security and stability."
--------------
Comment
--------------
3. (C) In December 2007, Esam Yousif Janahi, chairman of
the Bahrain Financial Harbor, announced the investment of US
$3 billion for the creation of a Tunis Financial Harbor. In
addition, in October 2008, Bahrain signed an agreement with
Tunisia allowing Tunisian university graduates to work in
Bahrain. In February 2008, the International Investment Bank
of Bahrain announced the investment of US $40 million in an
un-named Tunisian company. Though the Government of Bahrain
may have requested a statement of support, the GOT's
financial interests, suspicions about Iran's regional
aspirations, and a desire to support another Arab country no
doubt helped motivate the government to make the statement.
End Comment.
Godec
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG (PATTERSON/HAYES)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO IR TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIA ISSUES STATEMENT SUPPORTING BAHRAIN'S
SOVEREIGNTY
Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) After statements by Ali Akbar Natiq Nuri, advisor to
Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, regarding Bahrain's
sovereignty, an authorized source in the GOT issued a
statement in support of Bahrain.
2. (U) The text of the Tunisian statement (as translated by
the official Agence Tunis Afrique Presse) is as follows:
Tunis, February 21, 2009 (TAP) - In response to a question on
the recent Iranian statements on Bahrain, an authorized
source from the Foreign Ministry gave the following answer:
"Based on its commitment to the principles of respect for
state's sovereignty and non-interference in their affairs,
and in reaffirmation of the fraternal relations binding it to
the Kingdom of Bahrain and Iran, Tunisia deplores the
statements prejudicial to Bahrain's sovereignty and
independence, or questioning its Arab origin; these
statements run against the principles of good neighborhoods
and the bonds of brotherhood which should distinguish
relations tying Islamic states.
Tunisia also calls for concord in relations between all
states of the region, in order to strengthen the ties of
co-operation and of constructive fraternal rapprochement, and
the climate of confidence among theses countries, to serve
the region's security and stability."
--------------
Comment
--------------
3. (C) In December 2007, Esam Yousif Janahi, chairman of
the Bahrain Financial Harbor, announced the investment of US
$3 billion for the creation of a Tunis Financial Harbor. In
addition, in October 2008, Bahrain signed an agreement with
Tunisia allowing Tunisian university graduates to work in
Bahrain. In February 2008, the International Investment Bank
of Bahrain announced the investment of US $40 million in an
un-named Tunisian company. Though the Government of Bahrain
may have requested a statement of support, the GOT's
financial interests, suspicions about Iran's regional
aspirations, and a desire to support another Arab country no
doubt helped motivate the government to make the statement.
End Comment.
Godec