TUNISIAN JUSTICE MINISTER WANTS INCREASED

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000755 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KJUS TS SUBJECT: TUNISIAN JUSTICE MINISTER WANTS INCREASED BILATERAL COOPERATION REF: TUNIS 750 Classified by Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Tunisian Justice Minister Bechir Tekkari expressed interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation on judicial and law enforcement issues during the Ambassador's October 5 introductory call. A cordial tone prevailed in the meeting, even when it covered the contentious matter of assurances and access for potential Tunisian Guantanamo returnees (reftel), and Tunisia's debut on the Tier II watchlist of the Trafficking in Persons Report (septel). ¶2. (C) "In this time of transnational terrorism, crime, and narco-trafficking, we have no choice but to cooperate," Tekkari told the Ambassador. Tekkari, joined by his Ministry's Director of International Cooperation, expressed particular interest in completing with the United States a "convention on penal code cooperation," noting Tunisia has a similar instrument in place with Spain. A first step in pursuing such a convention would be to hold a meeting of experts, the Minister added. The Minister also expressed interest in possible assistance from the American Bar Association (ABA) on professional skills development for Tunisian lawyers. (Note: This appeared to be a reference to a $150,000 ABA program for Tunisian lawyers recently obligated under FY08 ESF, but not yet officially announced to the GOT. End note.) ¶3. (C) Comment: While we are encouraged by the Minister's professed interest in beefing up bilateral cooperation, the Tunisian MOJ, under his leadership, has an undistinguished record of cooperation with the USG. In recent years, repeated overtures from the Embassy, USDOJ, FBI, and other U.S. entities have been consistently rebuffed. Nonetheless, the Embassy will follow up on the Minister's proposals and seek some traction at the working levels of the Tunisian MOJ. End comment. GRAY