Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TUNIS755
2009-10-09 16:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
TUNISIAN JUSTICE MINISTER WANTS INCREASED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0014 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #0755 2821615 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091615Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6871 INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE
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).
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
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