REPRESENTATIVE CONAWAY STRESSES SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000924

SIPDIS

H PASS TO REPRESENTATIVE CONAWAY; ALSO FOR NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV OREP TS
SUBJECT: REPRESENTATIVE CONAWAY STRESSES SECURITY
COOPERATION IS A TWO-WAY STREET: DECEMBER 19 WITH THE
TUNISIAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE

REF: TUNIS 901

Classified By: Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

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Summary
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1. (C) In his December 19 meeting with Minister of Defense
Kamel Morjane, visiting Rep. Michael Conaway (R-TX) said that
U.S.-Tunisian bilateral relations were good but stressed the
need for increased cooperation on defense planning and
intelligence sharing. He noted that current U.S. budget
constraints might affect future assistance levels to Tunisia
but that any such changes would not reflect any lessening of
the U.S. commitment to maintaining strong ties with the GOT.
The discussion also covered the changing role of the Tunisian
security forces and the GOT's efforts to counter radical
influences in the Tunisian population. Morjane said he would
travel to the U.S. in May for the Joint Military Commission.
End summary.


2. (SBU) Representative Michael Conaway (R-TX) met with the
Minister of Defense December 19. The Representative was
accompanied by the Ambassador, Acting DATT/Naval Attach, and
Deputy Pol/Econ Counselor (notetaker). Minister Morjane was
accompanied by Director General of Military Security
Col-Major Ahmed Chabir; Director for Cooperation and
International Relations Col-Major Ghorbel; Capt-Maj.
Khammassi, responsible for International Affairs on the
Minister's staff; and Mourad Bel Hassen, Americas Desk Deputy
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Bilateral Cooperation
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3. (C) Rep. Conaway said cooperation and intelligence sharing
on regional security was a key part of the bilateral
relationship and had to be a two-way street. He suggested
that the arrival of a new U.S. Ambassador presented an
opportunity for a fresh start. Rep. Conaway then noted that
U.S. budget constraints might mean reduced military
assistance in the future, but that the GOT should not confer
any parallel reduction in the USG commitment to the bilateral
relationship. He also told the Minister he plans to join the
Tunisian Caucus in Congress.


4. (C) In his opening remarks, Minister Morjane repeated
several times the GOT's gratitude for USG assistance and
military equipment. He thanked Rep. Conaway in particular
for Congress's support in increasing military assistance to
the GOT in 2010. He also noted that there was a MFA
representative in the meeting and explained that if he were
not present the Minister would have to send a full report of
the meeting to the MFA. (Comment: This was the first time an
MFA representative has been present in such a meeting for at
least the last two years. End Comment.)


5. (C) Minister Morjane highlighted the changing role of the
Tunisian security forces saying Tunisia has excellent
relations, including intelligence sharing and defense
cooperation, with the Governments of Algeria and Libya.
Therefore, the armed forces do not need to focus on
protecting Tunisia from its neighbors. The mission of the
army is not only to defend the country but to help the
people, especially in those areas where it is difficult for
the private sector to operate. He explained that the
National Guard controls the land borders while the armed
forces are posted behind the borders.


6. (C) About half the armed forces are concentrated near the
borders, the Defense Minister continued. The remainder are
involved in a variety of tasks including providing assistance
to civilians through infrastructure development projects,
especially in the south. He said Tunisia and the United
States are "fighting the same enemy which lies elsewhere and
which can arrive at the border in unpredictable shapes
including with blue eyes or carrying a Singapore passport."
Morjane said the GOT was ready to cooperate with the USG in
joint exercises and training within the extent of its
capabilities. Rep. Conaway replied that bilateral
cooperation was important, that joint exercises were helpful,
and that the personal relationships developed during these
exercises had proven key to avoiding mistakes and
misunderstanding in other countries, especially during crises.

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Stopping Radicalization
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7. (C) Rep. Conaway asked Morjane how the GOT works to
counter influences that foster radicalization. Minister
Morjane responded that both security and social measures were
necessary. "Those who have nothing, have nothing to lose."
He gave full credit to President Ben Ali for making education
and health care priorities for the country. However, he
added, the large numbers of people who go to the mosque to
pray on Friday reflect the importance of Islam in Tunisia
even though the government has not made the religion a
rallying point for the country. The GOT is responding to the
growing influence of Islam by stressing the moderate,
tolerant interpretations of Islam that have traditionally
prevailed in Tunisia.

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The United States and the Middle East
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8. (C) Minister Morjane credited President Obama's Cairo
speech with helping to change America's image in the Middle
East. He said President Obama's position on the
Israeli-Palestinian issue was seen as more balanced than the
previous administration's and that he was pleased the United
States was making it clear the fight against extremism could
not be won with weapons alone. Rep. Conaway said he thought
the Arab-Israeli issue was somewhat of a proxy for all the
other perceived problems, remarking that even if it were
solved, the other problems would still remain. Minister
Morjane agreed, but maintained that an Israeli-Palestinian
settlement would still help across the board. Morjane
observed that since 1965, when former President Bourguiba was
the first Arab leader to call for a two-state solution and
told the Palestinians they had to negotiate with the
Israelis, Tunisia has been the only country able to speak
freely to all sides on the Arab-Israeli issue.

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Morjane Plans Washington Travel
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9. (SBU) Morjane confirmed that he would be going to
Washington DC in May 2010 for the annual meeting of the Joint
Military Commission.


10. (U) Representative Conaway did not have the opportunity
to clear this message before leaving Tunis.
GRAY