TUNISIA AND IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000744 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2019 TAGS: PREL PTER ETRD TS IZ SUBJECT: TUNISIA AND IRAQ REF: A. TUNIS 710 ¶B. STATE 97443 Classified by Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Iraq's Ambassador to Tunisia, Ghazi Zibari, told the Ambassador on October 1 that Tunisia does not meddle in Iraqi affairs, and saw no constructive role that Tunisia might play in Iraq's January elections. Zibari appeared ill-informed on the question of Tunisian foreign fighters, saying he was aware of only two cases. Zibari lamented the lapse of Tunisan trade with Iraq and saw scope for reinvigoration. End summary. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador paid an introductory call on October 1 on Ghazi Tahar Zibari, Iraq's Ambassador to Tunisia. Zibari, who said he was a "cousin" of Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, said there was no concern in Baghdad about Tunisian meddling in Iraq's political and security situation. Asked if there might be a positive role for Tunisia to play in Iraq's upcoming national elections, Zibari paused momentarily, and said "no." ¶3. (C) Zibari did not appear particularly well-informed on the issue of Tunisian foreign fighters. He said he had asked Iraqi Interior Minister Bolani during his last visit to Baghdad and said Bolani had claimed to be aware of only two cases of Tunisian foreign fighters. (Note: In fact, sensitive reporting indicates that dozens of Tunisians have been involved in terrorist attacks in Iraq. End note.) ¶4. (C) Zibari lamented the lapse of Tunisian trade with Iraq. Tunisia used to be a significant trading partner, and had signed numerous trade protocols with Saddam's government, he noted. Zibari thought Iraq could be a good market for Tunisian goods - they are of high quality and Tunisian exporters would have no "ulterior motives" - in contrast to goods from Iran or Turkey, he added. ¶5. (C) Comment: Zibari's take on Tunisian-Iraqi relations generally tracks with our own. While Tunisia has stood out for maintaining a continuous diplomatic presence in Baghdad, its perceived interests on the Tigris are limited. We expect Tunisia to maintain an essentially passive but benign approach toward Iraq in the forseeable future. End comment. GRAY