TUNISIA: KEY AMBASSADORS AGREE TO A COMMON MESSAGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000284 SIPDIS NEA/MAG (PATTERSON/HAYES) LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS SUBJECT: TUNISIA: KEY AMBASSADORS AGREE TO A COMMON MESSAGE ON THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS REF: A. TUNIS 167 ¶B. 08 TUNIS 1124 ¶C. 08 TUNIS 258 ¶D. 08 TUNIS 39 ¶E. 04 TUNIS 2386 Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In a May 6 meeting with Ambassador Godec at the US Embassy, the French, British, Canadian, and Italian Ambassadors, along with the German DCM, agreed to coordinate their message to the GOT on the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. The group also discussed the difficulties faced by opposition parties, electoral observers, the Tunisian Human Rights League, and the recent visit to Tunisia of Francois Fillon, the French Prime Minister. The Embassy will circulate a list of suggested points to the other diplomatic missions and coordinate on the question of electoral observation. End Summary. -------------- Electoral Observers -------------- ¶2. (C) On May 6, Ambassador Godec hosted several of his colleagues for one of their periodic tour d,horizons of issues in Tunisia. Attending were: French Ambassador Serge Degallaix, British Ambassador Christopher O,Connor, Italian Ambassador Antonio D,Andrea, Canadian Ambassador Bruno Picard and German DCM Michael Sernau. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador opened by asking whether the EU or individual countries would send observers for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. He noted that, in March, President Ben Ali announced that monitors from "friendly and sister countries" would be welcome during the elections (Ref A). Other government officials later clarified Ben Ali's statement, saying that the GOT would guide those interested in observing elections, but true elections monitoring was unnecessary as the GOT has already mastered the art of electoral administration. ¶4. (C) The British Ambassador said the European Union is enthusiastic about electoral observation in principle, but would like the GOT to clarify the role observers would play. For their part, the EU is still discussing what minimum levels of access they would require, and what limits on observation they would accept. The Czech Embassy (on behalf of the EU in Tunis) has sent a diplomatic note to the GOT asking for more details on the exact role of observers, but has not yet received a response. The German DCM indicated his agreement, adding that more details about electoral procedures are necessary. The French Ambassador opined that Tunisia,s elections are relatively low on the European Union,s priority list and that he is "dubious" about a formal mission. He added that French political parties would probably send representatives as they have done in the past. The Canadian Ambassador said that the Canadians would participate if electoral observation was properly structured. Ambassador Godec noted that the US Government does not send electoral observers, but the Embassy is prepared to approach the MFA on behalf American NGOs if they express an interest. -------------- Common Message? -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador Godec raised the list of recommended reforms prepared by Tunisia,s National Election Observatory in 2004 (Ref E),noting that it was a good place to start in shaping a common message by like-minded missions on the 2009 elections. The Ambassadors agreed that it would useful to have a common set of points that they and visiting officials could raise with the GOT. Ambassador Godec suggested that media access for opposition parties (currently almost negligible, Ref C) would also be a useful point to include, and the other COMs agreed. The Ambassadors also concurred on the importance of easily available meeting space, reducing restrictions on advertising and more flexible rules on candidacies. The presidential candidacy requirements announced by Ben Ali for the 2009 elections prevents four of Tunisia's nine parties from presenting candidates, and a fifth party prefers a candidate who does not meet the criteria set forth by the President (Ref B). None of the Ambassadors believed the GOT is likely to revise its current candidacy rules (thus ensuring the opposition Progressive Democratic Party,s Nejib Chebbi will not be permitted to run),but all thought it was possible the GOT might be flexible on interpreting some points and perhaps permit the opposition Democratic Forum for Freedom and Labor's Mustafa Ben Jaafar to be a candidate. ¶6. (C) In a discussion about the prospects for visiting officials to raise political freedoms, most COMs appeared to believe it would be possible under some circumstances. The Italian Ambassador, however, noted that the Italian Foreign Minister was unlikely to raise the issue during his upcoming visit. The Embassy is developing a list of suggested points to circulate to the other embassies. -------------- Tunisian Human Rights League -------------- ¶7. (C) Ambassador Godec raised the May 8 anniversary reception of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH). Conflicting court decisions prevent the LTDH from holding most meetings or receptions, but the GOT generally allows a reception honoring their anniversary to proceed without problems. Foreign embassies traditionally send representatives as a show of support. This year, because of poor planning on behalf of the LTDH several embassies (e.g., the Canadians) did not receive invitations. In the meeting, none of the Ambassadors were inclined to personally attend, but several thought it was important for foreign missions to send representatives. The British Ambassador indicted he planned to send a representative. Ambassador Godec said the US Mission would send an official as well. (Note: The GOT subsequently declared the reception illegal and the MFA notified foreign missions of this decision. See septel.) -------------- French PM Visit -------------- ¶8. (C) French Prime Minister Francois Fillon visited Tunisia April 22-23, during which he met with President Ben Ali. The French Ambassador provided an overview. According to Degallaix, Ben Ali expressed great concern about Iranian actions to destabilize the region, taking particular note of what Iran had done in Egypt. While Ben Ali was also concerned Iranian nuclear ambitions, this was less urgent than their other activities. He urged the French to speak with the Iranians. Ben Ali was generally positive about developments in Algeria, suggesting the country is making progress. Regarding Morocco, he expressed concern about social inequalities and the rising influence of Islamists. Regionally, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) poses a threat, but there is no big risk for Tunisia in Ben Ali,s view. President Ben Ali also said he has been favorably impressed by President Obama, but is waiting for concrete actions. On the Middle East Peace Process, Ben Ali said progress has been blocked and expressed concern about the new Israeli government. ¶9. (C) According to the French Ambassador, Ben Ali was positive about Tunisia's upcoming presidential and legislative elections. Ben Ali noted that Tunisia has progressed from a single party to a multiparty system and continues to advance. He emphasized that Tunisia would continue to make progress, but needed to do so slowly to avoid the risk of Islamist extremists taking control. He also lamented that Tunisia is often referred to as a police state, suggesting that Tunisia has fewer police than Switzerland. (Note: This statement is untrue unless one counts every person in Switzerland that owns a gun.) The French Ambassador noted that the President appeared in good health, was articulate and engaged. -------------- Other Issues -------------- ¶10. (C) The Italian Ambassador expressed concern about the US human rights report, along with those of other organizations, indicating that the reports made it difficult for the GOI to return a suspected terrorist to Tunisia. He opined that Tunisia's human rights situation was better than in other countries in the region. Ambassador Godec responded that the US human rights report was an accurate reflection of our understanding of the human rights situation in Tunisia, and that we undertook measures to ensure it was in line with the situation and reports in other countries. He noted, however, that the GOT's unwillingness to discuss the human rights situation in any detail made the report more difficult to prepare. ¶11. (C) Ambassador Godec also briefed the COMs on the status of the American school negotiations, and they expressed appreciation for his continuing efforts on behalf of the school. The Ambassadors also discussed an apparent rise in crime (house and vehicle break-ins) directed at diplomatic personnel. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶12. (C/NF) The apparent willingness of the Ambassadors of several key Missions to coordinate their message on upcoming Tunisian elections is a potentially important development. We have long sought greater cooperation on this issue, but several missions (notably the French) have been reluctant. We will soon circulate, and share with the Department, a short, suggested listed of common points. If the other Ambassadors do as they suggested they would, and if we can increase coordination in key capitals, we may be able to secure some further progress on political freedom in Tunisia. End Comment. Godec