Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TUNIS751
2009-10-08 15:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tunis
how-toVZCZCXRO5839 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUEHTU #0751 2811557 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081557Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6866 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000751
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR T/ISN, NEA/IR, AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2019
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM TS IR
SUBJECT: SENIOR TUNISIANS ON IRAN
Classified by Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000751
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR T/ISN, NEA/IR, AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2019
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM TS IR
SUBJECT: SENIOR TUNISIANS ON IRAN
Classified by Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) The Ambassador discussed the latest diplomatic
developments on Iran with Tunisian Prime Minister Ghannouchi
on October 7 and with Minister of State Abdelaziz Ben Dhia, a
special advisor to President Ben Ali, on October 8. With
each, the Ambassador reviewed the outcome of the October 1
talks and, drawing on the points conveyed reftel, requested
Tunisia's continued support for a dual-track approach toward
Iran - pursuing diplomacy backed by a credible threat of
sanctions.
2. (C) The Prime Minister responded that Tunisia's policy was
guided by two principles: International legality and
sustained diplomacy. Ben Dhia elaborated further, stating
that Tunisia had no problem with Iran's pursuit of a civil
nuclear energy capability, but Iran's pursuit of military
applications for nuclear technology would be unacceptable.
Ben Dhia thought the Iranians "historically difficult to deal
with," but declined to engage on the possibility of applying
increased international sanctions, should conditions warrant.
GRAY
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR T/ISN, NEA/IR, AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2019
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM TS IR
SUBJECT: SENIOR TUNISIANS ON IRAN
Classified by Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) The Ambassador discussed the latest diplomatic
developments on Iran with Tunisian Prime Minister Ghannouchi
on October 7 and with Minister of State Abdelaziz Ben Dhia, a
special advisor to President Ben Ali, on October 8. With
each, the Ambassador reviewed the outcome of the October 1
talks and, drawing on the points conveyed reftel, requested
Tunisia's continued support for a dual-track approach toward
Iran - pursuing diplomacy backed by a credible threat of
sanctions.
2. (C) The Prime Minister responded that Tunisia's policy was
guided by two principles: International legality and
sustained diplomacy. Ben Dhia elaborated further, stating
that Tunisia had no problem with Iran's pursuit of a civil
nuclear energy capability, but Iran's pursuit of military
applications for nuclear technology would be unacceptable.
Ben Dhia thought the Iranians "historically difficult to deal
with," but declined to engage on the possibility of applying
increased international sanctions, should conditions warrant.
GRAY