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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01TUNIS325 | GOVERNMENT SHAKE-UP: OBSERVERS SEE INCREASINGLY [...] (C) IN NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS SINCE THE JANUARY 23 GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLING (REFTEL), TUNISIAN AND DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS HAVE ALMOST INVARIABLY DESCRIBED THE SHAKE-UP AS SOMETHING OF A GAME OF MUSICAL CHAIRS AND A SIGN OF PRESIDENT BEN ALI'S FIRM PERSONAL CONTROL OVER THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN [...] |
2001-02-09 08:57:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ELAB KDEM PHUM TS |
| 03TUNIS1947 | AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL ON PRIME MINISTER [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, paid a farewell call July 22 on Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi. In a wide-ranging review of US-Tunisian bilateral relations, the Ambassador encouraged the GOT to build on its impressive record of economic and social development and to [...] |
2003-07-23 12:06:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TS |
| 05TUNIS1045 | TUNISIA - DEMOCRATIC REFORM STRATEGY TO SUPPORT [...] (C) Tunisia has a lot of things going for it as a country, but the speedy clip of political liberalization is not one of them. The good news about Tunisia is that there is no organized extremist opposition that we know of. The bad news is that there is no organized opposition of any kind. Al [...] |
2005-05-12 11:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM KMPI ECON PGOV KPAO AMGT TS WSIS |
| 05TUNIS1047 | ANONYMOUS COMMUNIQUES ALLEGE RCD DISCONTENT WITH [...] (C) Summary: Two communiques highly critical of President Ben Ali have been issued in recent months from a newly formed group calling itself the "Destouriens Democrates." Its anonymous authors claim to be members of the ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) party who are dissatisfied w [...] |
2005-05-18 15:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM TS |
| 05TUNIS1048 | TUNISIA'S ENERGY CZAR EXPLAINS POSITION ON U.S. [...] (C) Summary. Econoff's meeting with the head of Tunisia's electricity monopoly reveals that a U.S. investor, EnerCiel, will likely need to seek relief through the court system or reach a compromise given the hardening of legal positions and the difficulties EnerCiel is facing with moving forwa [...] |
2005-05-19 06:48:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG KIDE EINV TS |
| 05TUNIS1067 | TUNISIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: URGING OFFICIAL [...] No summary [...] |
2005-05-20 14:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP MNUC PARM PREL PGOV EWWT TS |
| 05TUNIS1081 | LEGAL OPPOSITION LACKS POLITICAL SKILLS, PUBLIC [...] (C) Summary. Although results of the May 8 local elections showed a ten per cent gain in the number of municipal seats held by Tunisian opposition parties, none of these parties, either alone or in a coalition, have any significant, measurable amount of public support. In discussions during [...] |
2005-05-23 14:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM TS MEPI |
| 05TUNIS1085 | TUNISIAN JOURNALISTS DIVIDED OVER ASSOCIATION [...] No summary [...] |
2005-05-23 15:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAO PHUM PGOV KDEM TS KMEPI |
| 05TUNIS1091 | Embassy Engages Tunisian Journalists on World Press [...] (SBU) Summary: On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Embassy, with financial and logistical support from Internews, provided training for over 70 Tunisian journalists on the issue of on-line journalism. On May 3, the Embassy hosted a small hands-on workshop, led by American expert [...] |
2005-05-24 13:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KPAO SOCI KMPI TS ECIP |
| 05TUNIS1092 | Mixed Tunisian reactions to Foreign Policy [...] SUMMARY: While both of the Tunisian participants in the April 2005 Foreign Policy IV program were favorably impressed by American society, their impressions of the content of the program were quite varied. Ahlem ben Ali, a Tunisian journalist, related that she had learned many interesting a [...] |
2005-05-25 06:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OEXC SCUL TS |
| 05TUNIS1093 | Media IV Program Positively Effects Tunisian [...] SUMMARY: Abderraouf Mkadmi, an editor at the most widely-read and anti-American Tunisian daily newspaper, returned from the March "Role of the Media" program with profound respect for the American people. Mkadmi noted that, upon his return to Tunisia, he was struck at the negative ramificat [...] |
2005-05-25 06:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OEXC SCUL TS |
| 05TUNIS1128 | TUNISIA: REGIONAL SUPPORT FOR ADVANCING THE PEACE [...] (C) In a meeting on several topics May 26, the Ambassador delivered the points on Arab League regional support for advancing the peace process to MFA Secretary of State for American and Asian Affairs Chtioui. The Ambassador covered points reftel, stressing that the time was right to move agg [...] |
2005-05-31 12:07:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL TS |
| 05TUNIS1203 | Tunis Weekly Public Diplomacy Outreach Report, June [...] On June 2, 40 high schoolers and two of their English teachers from Kelibia, a small fishing port one and a half hours from Tunis, visited the American Center as part of an educational field trip during which they spent half a day at the Embassy, touring the IRC, surfing the net and admiring t [...] |
2005-06-06 13:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO SCUL OIIP OEXC TS |
| 05TUNIS1204 | GENERAL JONES MEETING WITH TUNISIAN DEPUTY FM [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with MFA Deputy Foreign Minister for American and Asian Affairs Chtioui June 3, General Jones urged continued Tunisian cooperation with EUCOM and NATO as both entities expanded their scope to include Africa. Chtioui said Tunisia was ready to work together in a numb [...] |
2005-06-06 15:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MOPS TS EU |
| 05TUNIS1235 | TUNISIA HUMAN RIGHTS DEVELOPMENTS: 05/25 - 06/08 [...] SUMMARY: This cable summarizes significant human rights developments during the previous two week period. Topics covered are: -- Case of Mohamed Abbou -- Arab Institute of Human Rights Funding Problems -- Formation of "Committee for the Defense of Victims of Terrorism Law" -- Amnesty Int [...] |
2005-06-09 15:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KPAO KMPI TS |
| 05TUNIS1257 | EVE OF TIFA COUNCIL: WHERE DOES TUNISIA STAND ON [...] (C) Summary. Tunisia has taken the fundamental decision to liberalize its economy after decades of state-control, but progress has been deliberate and mostly limited to sectors that do not threaten the GOT's prerogative or ultimate "sovereignty". The GOT justifies its approach in terms of mi [...] |
2005-06-06 13:40:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD TS EFTA |
| 05TUNIS1282 | ABBOU APPEAL TRIAL: SENTENCE UPHELD, DIPLOMATIC [...] (SBU) Summary: On June 10, the Court of Appeal in Tunis upheld the three and a half year sentence of lawyer/activist Mohamed Abbou (ref a). The trial was disorderly, and at times chaotic, with over 120 lawyers attempting to defend Abbou. Embassy human rights officer attended the trial along [...] |
2005-06-13 14:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KPAO KMPI TS |
| 05TUNIS1314 | MEPI: IRI PRESENTS AMBITIOUS PLAN FOR TUNISIA; GOT [...] (C) Summary and Comment: International Republican Institute (IRI) MENA Director Tom Garrett outlined proposals for increasing IRI engagement with Tunisia to MFA DG Atallah on June 14. IRI would like to hold a regional conference on public opinion polling in Tunis in September, plans to incre [...] |
2005-06-16 14:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | TS KDEM PREL PHUM MEPI |
| 05TUNIS1324 | STATUS OF REQUEST FOR SOFA IN TUNISIA [...] (C) We have no Status of Forces Agreement currently with the GOT. In connection with training exercise Flintlock, we have signed an MOA (administrative agreement) that is valid for the duration of the exercise (June 3-17, 2005). We have a waiver from EUCOM for the Tunisia portion of Fl [...] |
2005-06-17 13:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MOPS PREL TS |
| 05TUNIS1379 | MEETING WITH SAMIA ABBOU [...] (C) Summary: Abbou supporters continue to seek USG intervention in the case of jailed lawyer/activist Mohamed Abbou (ref A). According to his wife, Abbou refused to bring his case before the Supreme Court because it would be giving too much legitimacy to what he and his supporters believe is [...] |
2005-06-23 09:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO KMPI KDEM TS |
| 05TUNIS1438 | TUNISIA: UN REFORM DEMARCHE [...] (C) In a meeting on several topics June 29, the Ambassador offered MFA Director of Americas and Asia Department Hatem Atallah (A/S equivalent) a comprehensive summary of U.S. priorities on UN reform, covering support for the Democracy Fund, management reform, the creation of a Human Rights Co [...] |
2005-07-01 12:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL TS UN UNSC |
| 05TUNIS1439 | UK REP ON BMENA DEVELOPMENTS, LEBANON [...] SUMMARY: UK Coordinator for Outreach to the Arab World Nick Abbott offered an update on UK coordination of BMENA activities to MEPI Regional Office Director. The four civil society components are coming together: UK organizing Transparency, U.S. Rule of Law, Bahrain Businesswomen, and hope [...] |
2005-07-01 14:20:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KMPI KDEM PREL LE TS |
| 05TUNIS1442 | VISAS VIPER MONTHLY REPORT FOR JULY 2005 [...] Post's Visa Viper Committee met on Friday, July 1, 2005. The Ambassador chaired the meeting, which was attended by Consular, Pol/Econ, ODC, DAO, ORA, Public Affairs, Management, FSI Arabic language field school, and MEPI representatives. We reviewed the recently disseminated revised procedures [...] |
2005-07-01 15:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KVPR CVIS PTER ASEC PINR CMGT TS |
| 05TUNIS1455 | ELECTION FOR NEW CHAMBER OF ADVISORS: NO SURPRISES [...] (U) Summary: RCD loyalists won all contested seats in predictable elections on July 3 for the Chamber of Advisors, a second Parliamentary chamber created by a 2002 constitutional amendment. While GOT spokesmen congratulated the country on a substantive step towards democracy, most Tunisians w [...] |
2005-07-01 15:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KMPI TS |
| 05TUNIS1456 | AMBASSADOR REACHES OUT TO TUNISIA'S SECOND CITY - [...] (U) Summary. Ambassador and Econoff traveled June 27 to Sfax, Tunisia's second largest city and the economic hub, to deliver messages on USG economic and political reform policies, on our latest development under our trade and investment dialogue, and to survey USG assistance to Sfax's high-t [...] |
2005-07-05 14:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON EINV EAID TS |
| 05TUNIS1458 | GOT REACTION TO ICANN POLICY; WSIS RELATED ISSUES: [...] THE AMBASSADOR MET WITH GOT MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES MONTASSAR OUAILI JULY 6 TO DISCUSS THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT'S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION TO RETAIN OVERSIGHT AND VETO POWER ON THE INTERNET CORPORATION FOR ASSIGNED NAMES AND NUMBERS (ICANN.) OUAILI WAS LESS CONCERNED [...] |
2005-07-05 14:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KIPR ECON ECPS TS EDRC |
| 05TUNIS1484 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: JULY 7, 2005 [...] (U) During the Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce's (TACC) recent conference on Free Trade, June 29-30, Tunisian Minister of Commerce Mondher Zenaidi, said that the GOT will continue integration with the world economy to support Tunisia's socio-economic development. Zenaidi noted that an F [...] |
2005-07-07 13:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EFIN EAGR TS ENIV |
| 05TUNIS1495 | USTR NOVELLI ADVANCES US-TUNISIA TRADE [...] (SBU) Summary. Assistant Trade Representative Catherine Novelli, in Tunis June 14-15 for the second TIFA Council meeting, firmly emphasized to Minister of Development and International Cooperation Jouini that the U.S. wants to expand our free trade community and is working at a modest pace, b [...] |
2005-07-08 06:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD TS EFTA |
| 05TUNIS1503 | BEN ALI CONDEMNS LONDON BOMBINGS [...] (U) All major press July 8 carried President Ben Ali's message to Britain's Queen Elizabeth and PM Blair, in which he "condemned the odious crime" which had resulted in horrible damage and loss of life, and "expressed Tunisia's sympathy for the United Kingdom, the families of the victims and [...] |
2005-07-08 14:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER TS |
| 05TUNIS1915 | TUNISIAN JOURALISTS REACT NEGATIVELY TO NEW FOREIGN MINISTER [...] No summary [...] |
2005-08-31 05:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV OIIP TS KPAO PHUM |
| 05TUNIS1934 | NEW MINISTER OF DEFENSE WELCOMES STRONG BILATERAL [...] No summary [...] |
2005-08-31 12:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PGOV TS |
| 05TUNIS2075 | JEDDAH LESSONS LEARNED - FOLLOW-UP [...] (S/NF) Ambassador chaired a meeting of Embassy Tunis Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on 09/13/2005 to discuss reftel, Jeddah Lessons Learned. Also present were DCM, RSO, RMAS, PA, MEPI, FSI, MGT, DAO, ODC, MED, P/E. 2. (S/NF) Embassy Tunis EAC reviewed and discussed reftel in detail, con [...] |
2005-09-15 14:30:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC AMGT |
| 05TUNIS2353 | GOT SPINS FM ABDALLAH'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON IN THE [...] No summary [...] |
2005-10-21 13:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI TS |
| 05TUNIS2418 | CONTINUED GLOWING TUNISIAN PRESS COVERAGE OF FM [...] The glowing Tunisian press coverage of FM Aballah's visit to the US (detailed in reftel) continued with placements of another article on FM Abdallah's activities in the US in all but one daily newspapers on the weekend of October 22-23. While headlines differed slightly, the text of the accomp [...] |
2005-10-31 15:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PREL PGOV ECON TS |
| 05TUNIS2420 | FM ABDALLAH CRITIQUES EMBASSY VISITS TO HUNGER [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met with the Foreign Minister on October 31 to discuss recent visits by the Embassy to the group of eight civil society leaders currently on a hunger strike to protest the lack of freedom of expression and association in Tunisia, and to demand the release of political p [...] |
2005-10-31 16:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM TS |
| 05TUNIS2564 | THE DICHOTOMY OF ISLAM IN TUNISIA [...] (C) SUMMARY. Tunisian religious views cut across a wide spectrum of beliefs and adherence. From atheists to Christians to Muslims to Jews, Tunisians are diverse in their religious views. While Islamic extremists may have enjoyed strong popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, since then [...] |
2005-11-29 13:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL TS |
| 05TUNIS2807 | TUNISIA: UPDATE FROM MINISTER OF DEFENSE [...] (C) The Ambassador December 27 reviewed a number of bilateral defense-related issues with Tunisian Minister of Defense Kamel Morjane, and briefed him on the November EUCOM Mediterranean Ambassador's conference in Stuttgart. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of linking Tunisian funding [...] |
2005-12-27 15:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MARR TS |
| 05TUNIS768 | TUNISIAN LABOR UPDATE: UGTT SHOWS A MORE [...] (C) Summary. Labor negotiations between labor, private employers, and government take place every three years in Tunisia. The three parties negotiate 51 separate collective bargaining contracts covering Tunisia's entire active work force. Since 1990, Tunisia has had this unique system of un [...] |
2005-03-25 09:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PHUM TS |
| 05TUNIS826 | VISIT TO WIFE OF IMPRISONED LAWYER PROMPTS [...] (C) Summary. At the invitation of university economics professor and PA contact Fedhi Jerbi, Polcouns April 6 visited the wife and family of Mohamad Abbou, the lawyer who was arrested March 1 for writing an online article harshly critical of President Ben Ali and his decision to invite Prime [...] |
2005-04-19 11:16:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI KDEM KISL TS |
| 05TUNIS839 | AMBASSADOR,S MEETING WITH THE TUNISIAN MINISTER OF [...] Summary: On April 15, the Ambassador met with Minister of Transportation Abderrahim Zouari, with Robert Jubach of the National Weather Service (NWS), and with Dr. Moncef Rajhi, the Director of the Tunisian National Institute of Meteorology (NIM) to brief him on a workshop NWS and NIM had join [...] |
2005-04-20 15:42:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON KSCA SENV TPHY KMPI TS |
| 05TUNIS840 | HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH HOLDS FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE IN [...] (C) Summary: Two visiting Human Rights Watch (HRW) staffers successfully held a press conference April 20 to release a new HRW report on solitary confinement of Tunisian political prisoners. The 39-page report is based on interviews of political prisoners conditionally released in the Novembe [...] |
2005-04-20 17:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV TS |
| 05TUNIS864 | TUNISIA: MILITARY GRANT ASSISTANCE: LEGAL [...] No summary [...] |
2005-04-26 15:21:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR PGOV KTIA TS |
| 05TUNIS869 | TUNISIA'S PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR: THE GOT BEGINS TO [...] On April 15, Embassy received a diplomatic note from the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the Ambassador's call on the Minister of Public Health on April 7 to discuss "data exclusivity" concerns under Special 301 review. 2. Post's unofficial translation of the note follows. [...] |
2005-04-27 16:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KIPR ETRD ECON EINV TS |
| 05TUNIS879 | BEYWATCH: NEWS FROM TUNISIA [...] The following is one of a series of reporting cables drafted predominantly by Post's entry level officers. We believe the different perspectives offered in each of the following paragraphs will (taken together) accurately reflect what we consider to be the country's paradoxical nature -- Tuni [...] |
2005-04-28 13:59:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI TS |
| 05TUNIS894 | ICRC REACHES AGREEMENT ON PRISON VISITS WITH GOT [...] (SBU) Summary: After a year of negotiations, the GOT signed an agreement with the ICRC to allow prison visits. This is a highly significant development for the human rights situation in this country. End Summary ICRC Announces Final Agreement On Tunisian Prison Visits --------------------- [...] |
2005-04-29 15:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KMPI KJUS TS ICRC |
| 05TUNIS896 | GOT RUSHES CONVICTION TO COINCIDE WITH ICRC [...] (C) Summary: A Tunisian court sentenced dissident lawyer Mohamed Abbou to a prison term of three years and six months following his one-day April 28 trial for two charges. Abbou was arrested in early March for publishing on the website/listserve "Tunisnews" an article attacking President Ben [...] |
2005-04-29 17:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KMPI KJUS KDEM TS ICRC WSIS |
| 05TUNIS898 | FREE TRADE WITH THE U.S.: ARE THE TUNISIANS READY? [...] (SBU) Summary. Booz Allen Hamilton's Emad Tinawi visited Tunis April 4 ) 8, to consult with U.S. Embassy and GOT officials, private sector representatives, and academics on U.S.-Tunisian trade and investment issues. Tinawi's visit, as a private sector consultant to the Department, aimed to a [...] |
2005-05-02 09:38:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV EFIN TS |
| 05TUNIS909 | BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON [...] (SBU) Post has made appropriate inquiries to establish the legitimacy of a transaction for the export of AB205 Bell helicopter spare parts to Tunisia and concludes that it is a legitimate transaction. In addition, the post has investigated concerns regarding the end user, the Tunisian Army, a [...] |
2005-05-02 15:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KOMC ETTC TS |
| 05TUNIS944 | AMB. RAISES CONCERNS ON ABBOU CONVICTION; NEW [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador reiterated USG concerns about the recent conviction of dissident lawyer Mohamed Abbou to MFA DG Hatem Atallah May 4. Attallah offered a familiar refrain: Abbou broke the law; the GOT is fully committed to democratic reform; Washington should understand that only the [...] |
2005-05-04 15:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS10 | TRIP TO SOUTHERN TUNISIA: RESIDENTS TOUGH ON U.S. [...] (C) Summary. Poloff and MEPI FSN visited the southern industrial town of Gabes December 19-21 and met with ruling and opposition party leaders, NGOs, and many local residents. All interlocutors were curious, and many skeptical, about the visit of an Embassy official to this oft-overlooked so [...] |
2006-01-03 13:42:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS1021 | HUNGER STRIKE BY TWO TUNISIAN JOURNALISTS NOT A [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-02 06:21:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS1081 | REDUCED WORK HOURS FOR WOMEN: ADVANCING WOMEN'S [...] (C) SUMMARY: In March, President Ben Ali announced that his 2004 election proposal to allow women to work for half the hours for two-thirds the pay would be enacted in 2007. (NOTE: It is not yet clear if this proposal will apply to all women in the work force or only nursing mothers. END NOTE. [...] |
2006-05-08 11:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI ELAB PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS1099 | BEN ALI STALWART RUMORED TO HAVE US SUPPORT AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Since his appointment as Minister of National Defense in August 2005, Kamel Morjane's role in the domestic political scene has been a topic of increasing interest to Tunisian political observers. As Morjane spent much of his career outside of Tunisia working with the UN, few knew [...] |
2006-05-09 13:59:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PGOV KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1155 | UNION REPORTS INCREASING GOT HARASSMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a May 10 meeting, (UGTT) Assistant Secretary General Mohammed Trabelsi told Laboff the UGTT SIPDIS continues to face GOT interference in its activities. Trabelsi said a senior GOT official (NFI) recently warned UGTT leadership, "if you interfere in our issues, we will in [...] |
2006-05-15 11:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB KDEM PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS1157 | SCENESETTER FOR DEPUTY SECRETARY'S VISIT TO TUNISIA [...] (C) Embassy Tunis is very pleased to welcome you to Tunisia from May 19-20. As the highest ranking State Department official to visit Tunis since former Secretary Powell in December 2003, you are in an excellent position to reinvigorate with President Ben Ali a bilateral dialogue which focuse [...] |
2006-05-15 13:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | OVIP KDEM PGOV PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS12 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS [...] (SBU) Following criticism of Tunisia's freedom of information and internet access during its November 2005 hosting of the World Summit on the Information Society, the Chamber of Deputies is debating plans to privatize Tunisia's master internet service provider (ISP) and sole international inte [...] |
2006-01-03 15:50:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EPET EINT ELAB TS |
| 06TUNIS1204 | BAR ASSOCIATION LEADS LAWYERS IN SIT-IN [...] (SBU) Summary: The Tunisian Bar Association has led a sit-in, now on its eighth day, in protest of a new law creating a training institute for lawyers which the Bar Association alleges will effectively give control of who enters the Bar to the GOT. There has been a heavy police presence surro [...] |
2006-05-19 14:42:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS1220 | TUNISIA OBSERVES WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-22 11:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS1230 | Special Media Reaction: DepSec Visit to Tunis [...] (SBU) Summary. Tunisian print and broadcast media positively and prominently covered the May 18 - 19 DepSec Zoellick visit to Tunisia. While both the government and privately-owned press highlighted the DepSec's positive statements on Tunisian modernity and moderation, the private press also [...] |
2006-05-23 12:02:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPAO OIIP TS |
| 06TUNIS1238 | EMBASSY TUNIS ENGAGES TUNISIAN JOURNALISTS ON [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-23 14:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS1239 | REDUCED WORK HOURS FOR WOMEN: ADVANTAGE OR [...] (C) SUMMARY: In March 2006, President Ben Ali announced that his 2004 election proposal to allow women to work for half the hours for two-thirds the pay would be enacted in 2007. According to press reports, the draft law will apply to women working in the public sector with children under si [...] |
2006-05-23 14:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI ELAB PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS1252 | THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MAY 18 MEETING WITH [...] (U) May 18, 2006; 6:00 P.M.; TUNIS, TUNISIA 2. (U) Participants: U.S. ---- The Deputy Secretary Ambassador William Hudson Christine Davies, D Special Assistant Kelly Dillon, D Personal Assistant Aaron Jost, D Special Assistant Michael Matera, D Executive Assistant Richard Mills, D [...] |
2006-05-25 09:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1253 | THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MAY 18 MEETING WITH [...] (U) May 18, 2006; 4:30 P.M.; TUNIS, TUNISIA. 2. (U) Participants: U.S. ---- The Deputy Secretary Ambassador William Hudson Christine Davies, D Special Assistant Kelly Dillon, D Personal Assistant Aaron Jost, D Special Assistant Michael Matera, D Executive Assistant Richard Mills, D S [...] |
2006-05-25 09:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS1254 | THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH TUNISIAN [...] (U) May 19, 2006; 10:00 A.M.; CARTHAGE, TUNISIA. 2. (U) Participants: U.S. ---- The Deputy Secretary Ambassador William Hudson TUNISIA ------- President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali Abdelaziz Ben Dhia, Minister of State, Special Advisor to the President of the Republic Ossama Romdh [...] |
2006-05-25 09:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1255 | DEPUTY SECRETARY'S ROUND TABLE WITH TUNISIAN CIVIL [...] (U) MAY 18, 2006; 2:15 P.M.; TUNIS, TUNISIA. 2. (C) Participants: U.S. ---- The Deputy Secretary Ambassador William Hudson Christine Davies, D Special Assistant Aaron Jost, D Special Assistant Michael Matera, D Executive Assistant Richard Mills, D Senior Advisor Brennan Gilmore, Hu [...] |
2006-05-25 09:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI KPAO KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1274 | DEMARCHE TO NAM/G-77 ON UN REFORM [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-26 11:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AMGT AORC UNGA TS |
| 06TUNIS1275 | WEDGWOOD CANDIDACY FOR U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-26 11:42:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS1276 | DEMARCHE IN ADVANCE OF NAM MINISTERIAL [...] (S) On May 26, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial to MFA Director General for the Americas and Asia Ghazi Jomaa. Jomaa said that Deputy Foreign Minister Hatem Ben Salem would be representing Tunisia at the Ministerial and that he would pass the [...] |
2006-05-26 11:42:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL AORC IAEA KNNP UNSC IR TS |
| 06TUNIS1277 | TUNISIAN SUPPORT FOR IRAQI GOVERNMENT FORMATION [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-26 11:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL KDEM KPAO PGOV IZ TS |
| 06TUNIS1303 | DEMARCHES DELIVERED: PSI HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-30 13:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | MNUC KNNP PARM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS1305 | JEWISH PILGRIMAGE TO DJERBA: A TUNISIAN SUCCESS [...] (C) Summary: Approximately 3,500 Jewish pilgrims, including reportedly 500 Israeli citizens, descended on the Tunisian island of Djerba for the annual pilgrimage to El Ghriba synagogue on May 15-16, coinciding with the Jewish holiday Lag B'Omer. The pilgrimage took place with no reported prob [...] |
2006-05-30 14:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS1308 | TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE CONGRESS VIOLENTLY [...] (C) Summary: Tunisian security forces violently blocked a national congress of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) on May 27. On the eve of the Congress, post and other western diplomatic missions received telephone calls from the MFA and Note Verbales recommending that for safety concern [...] |
2006-05-30 15:11:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI KPAO KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1341 | TUNISIAN VIEWS ON U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN [...] (C/NF) On June 1, Ambassador delivered Ref A demarche on the U.S. statement on Iran as well as the English and Arabic texts of the Secretary's statement to Foreign Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah. Ambassador stressed our desire for Tunisia to issue a public statement supporting our move, GOT en [...] |
2006-06-02 09:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS1343 | ABBAS VISIT TO TUNISIA [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 30, Palestinian President Abbas began his three day state visit to Tunisia with a meeting with Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. The GOT, ever eager to play its traditional moderate role in the Middle East Peace Process, has focused the visit on its support for [...] |
2006-06-02 12:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS1344 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: FOLLOW UP ON NAM STATEMENT ON [...] (C/NF) On June 1, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial statement on Iran to MFA Secretary of State Hatem Ben Salem. Ben Salem, who represented Tunisia at the Ministerial, agreed that the final statement was unhelpful. He stressed that Tunisia, alo [...] |
2006-06-02 12:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL AORC IAEA KNNP UNSC IR TS |
| 06TUNIS1355 | TUNISIAN STATEMENT ON IRAN [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-05 12:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS1364 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: 2006 TIP REPORT - TUNISIA [...] (C) On June 5, DCM, accompanied by Laboff, delivered Ref B demarche on the 2006 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report to MFA Director for the Americas Fadhel Ayari. Ayari stressed that, to his knowledge and as various Ministries noted during Laboff's TIP-related meetings, there was no traffickin [...] |
2006-06-05 14:38:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KWMN ELAB SMIG ASEC KFRD KCRM TS |
| 06TUNIS1402 | SENIOR MOI OFFICIAL REMOVED: SIGN TO HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 5, President Ben Ali unexpectedly announced the dismissal of a senior Ministry of Interior (MOI) official who some believe to be responsible for an uptick in the GOT's harsh repression of Tunisian civil society. As Secretary of State for National Security, Mohamed Ali Gan [...] |
2006-06-08 11:23:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM ASEC TS |
| 06TUNIS1424 | TUNISIAN CIVIL SOCIETY URGES SOLIDARITY TO ADVANCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The recent national congress of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women provided a unique opportunity for independent Tunisian civil society activists to gather and express their mutual aspirations to further democracy and freedom in Tunisia. More than ten legal and illegal c [...] |
2006-06-12 07:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS1425 | TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE QUAGMIRE CONTINUES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Recent discussions with individuals involved in the current Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) crisis (Ref C) indicate GOT repression of the group's activities is likely to continue indefinitely. Despite recent EU efforts to engage the GOT (Ref B), there is no sign the LTDH's di [...] |
2006-06-12 07:46:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PREL PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS1428 | GOT ISLAMIC CREDENTIALS UNDER ATTACK [...] (C) SUMMARY: A series of allegations and rumors that the GOT is violating basic Islamic principles have spread throughout Tunisia this spring, forcing the government to take aggressive action to prove its Islamic bona fides. In June, a human rights group alleged that prison officials had dese [...] |
2006-06-12 12:11:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | SOCI KDEM PGOV PTER TS |
| 06TUNIS1429 | AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK: ANNUAL STAFFING, [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-12 12:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC APER ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS1433 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL: ABMC NORTH AFRICA [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-13 09:47:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL KPAO MARR OEXC TS |
| 06TUNIS1493 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: OIC MINISTERIAL MEETING [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-16 09:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IR TS |
| 06TUNIS1494 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: BUILDING SUPPORT FOR GUATEMALA [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-16 09:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC GT VE TS |
| 06TUNIS1565 | EU PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION ON LACK OF HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C//NF) Summary: A June 15 resolution by the European Parliament noted continuing concern about the human rights situation in Tunisia in light of the Euro-Mediterannean Agreement and numerous discussions tying a strong EU-Tunisia relationship to the promotion of human rights and democracy. Eur [...] |
2006-06-22 13:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS1598 | AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL WITH MINITER OF DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION [...] (U) Summary: Ambassador Hudson paid a farewel call on Minister of Development and Internationl Cooperation (MDIC) Mohamed Nouri Jouini on Jun 20, 2006. The Ambassador delivered a letter frm USTR concerning a proposed June 30, 2006 meetin between the minister and AUSTR Donnelly (SEPTEL. The di [...] |
2006-06-27 13:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EFIN TS |
| 06TUNIS1599 | USTR TIFA LETTER DELIVERED TO MDIC [...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador Hudson paid a farewell call on Minister of Development and International Cooperation (MDIC) Mohamed Nouri Jouini on June 20, 2006. The Ambassador delivered a letter from USTR concerning a proposed June 30, 2006 meeting between the minister and Assistant United States [...] |
2006-06-27 13:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD KTIA TS |
| 06TUNIS1603 | COM USAFE AND MINISTER OF DEFENSE DISCUSS SOFA, [...] (C) SUMMARY. During his June 25-26 visit, the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe General William Hobbins met with Tunisian Minister of National Defense Kamal Morjane to discuss bilateral military relations. Morjane said the Ministry of Defense had provided the MFA with a draft response on [...] |
2006-06-27 13:46:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL KMIG TS |
| 06TUNIS1621 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: BUILDING SUPPORT FOR GUATEMALA [...] (C/NF) On June 28, NEA DAS Gordon Gray, accompanied by Ambassador, raised reftel demarche on supporting Guatemala's UNSC candidacy during a meeting with Tunisian Deputy Foreign Minister for the Americas and Asia Saida Chtioui. Chtioui said that it will not be difficult for Tunisia to follow th [...] |
2006-06-29 10:40:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL UNSC UNGA GT VE TS |
| 06TUNIS1622 | CORRUPTION IN TUNISIA PART I: AN ECONOMIC SUCCESS? [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-29 10:57:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON PGOV EFIN ETRD EINV TS |
| 06TUNIS1630 | CORRUPTION IN TUNISIA PART II: THE ANATOMY OF EXPLOITATION [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-29 13:06:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL ECON PGOV EFIN ETRD EINV TS |
| 06TUNIS1641 | MGGZ01: TUNISIA CALLS FOR RESUMPTION OF DIALOGUE [...] (SBU) On June 29, Tunisia released an official statement related to the latest Israeli-Palestinian developments, reiterating its call for "resumption of dialogue and implementation of the Roadmap." Also on June 29, in a speech to newly arrived ambassadors, President Ben Ali stressed the need [...] |
2006-06-30 13:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KPAL TS |
| 06TUNIS1642 | AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL WITH MINISTER OF DEFENSE [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: Ambassador's farewell call on Minister of Defense Morjane was marked by mutual appreciation for the strong bilateral military relationship and guarantees of its continuation. Morjane shared his views on the broader bilateral relationship, specifically political reform. Morjane [...] |
2006-06-30 13:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL MARR PGOV KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1650 | FREEDOM AGENDA QUARTERLY REPORT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The one year anniversary of our Freedom Agenda was marked by increased USG engagement and continued GOT stagnation on political reform. This quarter, post continued its active engagement of the GOT, which was reinforced by Deputy Secretary Zoellick during his May visit and the vi [...] |
2006-07-03 09:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV KMPI KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS1658 | SAMIA ABBOU: GOT PRESSURE LESS SINCE GANZOUI'S [...] (C) Summary: In a June 30 meeting, Samia Abbou, wife of jailed lawyer/writer Mohamed Abbou, told Poloff that GOT harassment of her and her family had diminished following the removal of Mohamed Ali Ganzoui as Interior Ministry Secretary of State of National Security on June 5. However, she c [...] |
2006-07-03 13:02:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI KPAO KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1661 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ENGAGING MED DIALOGUE COUNTRIES [...] No summary [...] |
2006-07-03 13:21:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL NATO MARR TS |
| 06TUNIS1672 | CORRUPTION IN TUNISIA PART IV: THE FAMILY'S HOLDINGS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-07-05 12:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS1673 | CORRUPTION IN TUNISIA PART III: POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-07-05 12:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL ECON PGOV EFIN ETRD EINV KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1674 | ARAB SECURITY OFFICIALS DISCUSS PRISON [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to press reports, during a recent preparatory meeting for an upcoming Arab Interior Ministers meeting, Arab prison, judicial and security officials discussed plans to increase prison privatization. The discussions covered the full or partial participation of the private [...] |
2006-07-05 12:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS1675 | DAS GRAY ENGAGES MFA ON SUDAN, UN REFORM [...] (C) During his June 28 meeting with Tunisian Deputy Foreign Minister for the Americas and Asia Saida Chtioui, NEA Deputy Assistant Secretary Gordon Gray, accompanied by Ambassador, raised reftel demarche on the transition of AMIS to a United Nations peacekeeping operation (PKO) in Darfur. Chti [...] |
2006-07-05 12:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL MARR KPKO PINS SOCI SU TS |
| 06TUNIS1676 | DAS GRAY MEETING WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION [...] (C//NF) SUMMARY. During his June 27-28 visit, NEA Deputy Assistant Secretary Gordon Gray met with representatives of the European Commission (EC) to discuss collaboration on human rights and democracy reform in Tunisia. EC reps noted difficulty in formal collaboration due to the heavy bureauc [...] |
2006-07-05 13:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI KPAO KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS1694 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN [...] No summary [...] |
2006-07-06 13:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KN PARM KNNP TS |
| 06TUNIS1702 | DAS GRAY MEETING WITH TUNISIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN [...] (C//NF) SUMMARY. During his June 27-28 visit, NEA Deputy Assistant Secretary Gordon Gray met with Deputy Foreign Minister for the Americas and Asia, Saida Chtioui, to discuss the USG position on Libya, Tunisian relations with Iran, USG support for Guatemala for the Latin American Security Counc [...] |
2006-07-06 13:48:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL KPAO PGOV PHUM SMIG MARR TS |
| 06TUNIS1741 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS [...] This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in the following areas: A. IPR Enforcement Strengthened B. Pending bounced check legislation C. Rising oil prices affecting balance of trade D. Oil transport contract with Algeria via pipeline E. UAE investments in Tunisia [...] |
2006-07-12 08:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ENRG ETRD ELAB KIPR TS |
| 06TUNIS1761 | GOT REQUESTS EXCHANGE OF SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN [...] This is an action request. Post received a dipnote from MFA June 12 seeking an exchange of support for Tunisian candidate to the UN Human Rights Committee Abdelfattah Amor and US candidate Prof. Ruth Wedgwood. Post seeks Department guidance in responding to this request. 2. Relevant text [...] |
2006-07-12 14:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM UNHRC TS |
| 06TUNIS1776 | RESHUFFLE OF GOVERNORS [...] (U) In a routine reshuffle announced in all daily newspapers on July 10, six governors moved from one governorate to another, two were appointed for the first time, and one, Ali Ksiki, was "called to other (unspecified) duties." Governorship changes were as follows: Name Former [...] |
2006-07-14 06:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS1785 | TUNISIA RESPONDS FAVORABLY TO SAUDI STATEMENT; [...] (C) In his July 14 farewell call on Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Hatem Ben Salem, Ambassador provided a copy of the Saudi statement on the situation in Palestine and Lebanon (ref A). Upon reading the informal English translation, Ben Salem expressed surprise at the "new" Saudi posit [...] |
2006-07-14 09:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL IS TS UN |
| 06TUNIS1816 | EUROMED ECONFIN MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE JUNE 25-26, [...] (SBU) Summary and Comment: On June 25-26, 2006, economic and finance ministers (ECOFIN) of the 35 countries of the Euromed zone met in Gammarth, Tunisia to discuss the future of the European Investment Bank's (EIB) Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) and the poss [...] |
2006-07-18 09:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD EU TS |
| 06TUNIS1817 | TUNIS-BASED PLO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER SLAMS [...] (C) Summary and Comment: PLO Foreign Affairs Minister Farouk Qaddoumi on July 12 convened representatives of the Americas for a rambling briefing, delivered in English, entitled, "The Latest Developments in Palestine, especially with the Current Israeli Occupation Forces Military Attacks on t [...] |
2006-07-18 10:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL TU |
| 06TUNIS1818 | IPR PROTECTION IN TUNISIA [...] SUMMARY: Tunisia has taken significant steps to strengthen its intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement throughout 2005 and 2006. There has been a noted change in attitude towards IPR among Tunisian officials, legal experts, and businesses. They now consider IPR not only as a legal t [...] |
2006-07-19 05:28:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KIPR ETRD ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS1835 | AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL WITH MINISTER OF [...] (S) On 17 July 2006, Ambassador met with the Tunisian Minister of Interior Bel Haj Kacem in his office for a 30 minute farewell call. The meeting was also attended by the MOI's Deputy to the Special Assistant on International Relations and COS and was cordial in nature. 2. (S) Ambassador r [...] |
2006-07-19 12:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS1847 | TFLE01: TUNISIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EXPRESSES [...] (C) In a July 18 farewell call by the Ambassador, Foreign Minister Abdallah expressed concern about the "grave" humanitarian situation in Lebanon, noting his impression that the violence was not going to end soon. As a jurist, he said, he was "shocked" that an armed group could be allowed to [...] |
2006-07-19 14:30:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM LE IS TU |
| 06TUNIS1851 | PARTING THOUGHT FROM THE AMBASSADOR ON MEPI [...] (C/NF) I would like to share what I hope will be some impressions on the MEPI program in the hope that they might be useful to others as this program evolves. Since my arrival at post, our number one MPP priority has been support for greater democracy and human rights in Tunisia, and our post [...] |
2006-07-20 12:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS1922 | ANATOMY OF THE MOST POPULAR TUNISIAN NEWSPAPER: [...] (S) Summary: With a circulation of 80,000, Ash Shourouq is Tunisia,s most widely read, most anti-American, and most irresponsible Arabic language daily newspaper. Nominally private, Ash Shourouq receives direct editorial input from GOT officials in both the presidential palace and the MFA. [...] |
2006-07-28 13:16:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PGOV KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS1924 | TFLE01: TUNISIAN REACTION TO EVENTS IN LEBANON AND [...] (C) Summary: Since the beginning of the current Lebanon/Israel/Gaza crisis, the GOT has stood firmly in support of its "Palestinian and Lebanese brothers", releasing statements of support, sponsoring press articles critical of Israel, and in demonstration-free Tunisia, sanctioning and partici [...] |
2006-07-28 14:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS1939 | TFLE01: GOT DECLARES THREE DAYS OF MOURNING OVER [...] No summary [...] |
2006-08-01 11:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | TS KPAO PREL PGOV |
| 06TUNIS1943 | TFLE01: LEBANESE PARLIAMENT LEADER HARIRI VISITS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-08-01 13:42:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS1946 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia in the following areas: A. Prime Minister Discusses Recent Economic Reforms B. Adoption of New Economic Laws C. National Strategy for a Digital Economy D. Tunisia Ratifies International Sugar Agreement E. Whe [...] |
2006-08-01 15:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD EAGR TS |
| 06TUNIS1967 | TUNISIA: GOT REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATE TO [...] This is an action request. On August 2, Embassy received a diplomatic note from the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting support for Tunisian candidate Professor Hatem Kotrane for reelection as a member of the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child during elections in New York i [...] |
2006-08-03 08:02:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM UNHRC TS |
| 06TUNIS1988 | TFLE01: SITREP ON TUNISIAN SOLIDARITY WITH [...] (C) Summary. Media reports and anecdotal information from the past week suggest that Tunisians increasingly are viewing Hizballah as the underdog freedom fighter successfully standing up against the Israeli bully. The Qana attack stoked a round of news-driven anger against Israel. U.S. supp [...] |
2006-08-04 14:46:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS2026 | ABBAS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BEN ALI [...] On August 9, all Tunisian newspapers carried an official GOT press agency report of a meeting between visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Tunisian President Ben Ali. Abbas visited Tunisia August 7 - 8. According to the report, the two discussed the situation in the Palestinian t [...] |
2006-08-09 13:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS2036 | TUNISIAN CENTRAL BANK RELEASES 2006 PRELIMINARY [...] SUMMARY: On July 24, the Tunisian Central Bank released preliminary figures of the country's macroeconomic performance for the first half of 2006 after a meeting of the Bank's Executive Board. The Bank discussed Tunisia's industrial and services output, monetary policy and inflation concerns, [...] |
2006-08-10 08:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN ETRD ELAB TS |
| 06TUNIS208 | TIFA UPDATE: MINISTER JOUINI EXPRESSES HOPE TO U/S [...] (SBU) Summary. Treasury Under Secretary Timothy Adams' January 30 meeting with Development Minister Jouini discussed ways to move forward our Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) process in 2006. Ambassador noted the Ministry's feedback on USTR discussion papers, which spotlighted [...] |
2006-02-02 10:57:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EFTA ETRD TS |
| 06TUNIS2084 | TFLE01: TUNISIAN REACTION TO LEBANON/ISRAEL/GAZA [...] (C) Summary: The general Tunisian public perception of current events in Lebanon and Gaza, fueled by local and pan-Arab media, is that the U.S. is offering unlimited support to Israeli "aggression." A broad range of Tunisian contacts, who share this perception, tell us that this is consequent [...] |
2006-08-11 14:23:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI KPAO ASEC TS |
| 06TUNIS2085 | DEMARCHE ON UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON [...] No summary [...] |
2006-08-12 11:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER MOPS UN UNSC IS LE TU |
| 06TUNIS2111 | LEBANON: TUNISIA WELCOMES UNSCR 1701; CALLS FOR [...] (C) Summary: The GOT has officially welcomed UNSCR 1701 on Lebanon, releasing a statement expressing its "great satisfaction" with the resolution, which it characterized as a "first step" to the return to peaceful efforts in the search for a negotiated solution. President Ben Ali on August 1 [...] |
2006-08-16 13:54:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MOPS UN UNSC IS LE TS |
| 06TUNIS2140 | SUBJECT: NOTIFICATION DEMARCHE DELIVERED: TUNISIA [...] ON AUGUST 7, ECONOFF DELIVERED REVISED DEMARCHE POINTS TO AMOR TOUMI, THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S (MOH) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL LABORATORY FOR THE CONTROL OF MEDICATIONS. DEMARCHE POINTS WERE ALSO DELIVERED ON AUGUST 11, TO THE MINISTRY'S DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HEALTH, MR. NOUREDDIN [...] |
2006-08-18 11:50:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR TS |
| 06TUNIS2141 | A GROWING TUNISIAN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TREADS [...] (C//NOFORN) Summary: In recent interviews with Poloff, Tunisian and expatriate Christian leaders and Tunisian Christian converts described a steadily growing Tunisian Christian movement, in spite of prevalent social stigmas associated with Christianity. Through Christian TV and radio, mission [...] |
2006-08-18 11:55:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS2144 | TUNISIANS PROUD OF "ISRAELI DEFEAT", BUT MANY [...] (C) Summary: With the passage of UNSCR 1701 and the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and Israel, the tense mood amongst many Tunisians, palpable during the active fighting, has largely abated. Tunisian newspapers proclaimed victory for Hizballah, and editorials spoke of the hope "the Hizb [...] |
2006-08-18 14:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KPAO PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS2148 | RSVP: EXTRANCHECK: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION; IGL [...] Reftel requests verification of computer parts and accessories shipped to ultimate consignee: IGL Industries, route de Gabes, km8 Sfax, Tunisia. Liscense code for these products is C33 NLR. In order to arrange the on-site verification visit, commercial specialist faxed parts information and [...] |
2006-08-18 15:02:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP ETRD ETTC TS |
| 06TUNIS2155 | MODERATE ISLAMISTS SEEK DIALOGUE WITH U.S. ON [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting hosted in Tunis by Washington-based Center for Islam and Democracy President Radwan Masmoudi, several self-described "moderate Islamists", including a founding member of the banned Tunisian Islamist party An-Nahdha, sought out Embassy officials to "reopen a dialogue" [...] |
2006-08-21 08:04:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS2170 | Beywatch: Are You Really American? [...] The following is one of a series of reporting cables drafted by Post's entry level officers, which have the "Beywatch" caption. We believe the perspectives offered in the following vignette will give the reader a look into everyday life in Tunisia that may not be central to more formal repor [...] |
2006-08-21 09:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI SCUL ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS2173 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: JULY - AUGUST 14 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Minimum Wage Increase B. Tunisian and Mauritanian Central Banks to Cooperate C. Arab Fund for Development Finances Tunisian Power Plant D. GOT to Liberalize the Cereal Sector E. GO [...] |
2006-08-21 11:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD ELAB TS |
| 06TUNIS2175 | Beywatch: Where Men can be Men: Cafes in Tunisia [...] The following is one of a series of reporting cables drafted by Post's entry level officers, which have the "Beywatch" caption. We believe the perspectives offered in the following vignette will give the reader a sense of everyday life in Tunisia that may not be central to more formal repor [...] |
2006-08-21 12:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI TS |
| 06TUNIS2178 | TUNISIA CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS FINANCIAL CLAIMS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-08-21 14:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL EAIR IZ TS |
| 06TUNIS2227 | TUNISIANS CONTINUE TO BE SEIZED BY EVENTS IN [...] (C) Summary: Events in Lebanon continue to dominate Tunisian newspaper headlines and cafe conversations, although less so than in previous weeks. The GOT announced delivery of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Newspapers accused Israel of jeopardizing the cease-fire. Civil society contacts contin [...] |
2006-08-25 14:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KMPI KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS223 | ARAB INTERIOR MINISTERS JANUARY 30-31 MEETING [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The 23rd session of the Arab League Interior Ministers took place in Tunisia on January 30 and 31. According to press reports, ministers examined the security situations in Arab countries and discussed ways of combating terrorism, extremism, violence and organized crimes. Par [...] |
2006-02-03 13:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ASEC PTER TS |
| 06TUNIS2237 | IS PRESIDENT BEN ALI CLINICALLY DEPRESSED? [...] (S/NF) The state of President Ben Ali,s health has long been a topic of conversation in Tunisia, both among diplomats and in society at large. Reftels reported on President Ben Ali's reported prostate cancer, for which he has sought treatment in Germany and Italy, along with the potential pol [...] |
2006-08-29 07:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PINR TN |
| 06TUNIS224 | MOVEMENT OF 18 OCTOBER COMPLAINS OF GOT ABUSE, [...] (C) Summary: The Committee of 18 October, an alliance of disparate opposition political groups and activists which grew out of the Movement of 18 October hunger strike (ref a), reported that plainclothes police "violently" blocked a committee meeting in Tunis on January 24. The following day, [...] |
2006-02-03 14:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS2259 | ANTI-U.S. INCITEMENT: ONE TUNISIAN IMAM [...] (C/NF) The imam of the main mosque in the town of Oued Ellil allegedly included severe anti-U.S. rhetoric in the course of August 18 Friday prayers. The imam is reported to have condemned the U.S. for its role in the recent fighting in Lebanon and called on Allah to "eliminate" President Bush [...] |
2006-08-31 11:23:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL KPAO TN |
| 06TUNIS227 | SIGNS OF INCREASED PRESS FREEDOM, BUT TUNISIAN [...] No summary [...] |
2006-02-03 14:40:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS2287 | TUNISIA NOT INTERESTED IN MCA [...] (SBU) In reponse to Embassy reminders for financial data for Millennium Challenge Account selection, the Government of Tunisia has declined to submit the required information, thereby withdrawing Tunisia from consideration for MCA funding. In a meeting with EconOff, MFA Deputy Director for th [...] |
2006-09-05 11:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EAID KMCA TS |
| 06TUNIS2292 | TUNISIA AND THE U.S.-MENA PRIVATE SECTOR DIALOGUE [...] (SBU) Summary: Post has provided contact information on bank associations in Tunisia (ref A). In addition, EconOff met with Mr. Amor Saafi, Managing Director of the Association Professionnelle Tunisienne des Banques et des Establissements Financiers (APTBEF) - the other bank association provi [...] |
2006-09-06 07:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETTC PREL PTER KTFN TS |
| 06TUNIS2298 | AN-NAHDHA LEADER JEBALI: MODERATE ISLAMISM IS THE [...] (C/NF) Summary: In an August 30 meeting, Hamadi Jebali, a former leader of the unauthorized Tunisian Islamist political party An-Nahdha, described the party's political views, continued GOT oppression, his recent release from prison, and defended "moderate Islamism" as the political future of [...] |
2006-09-06 12:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER TS |
| 06TUNIS2299 | LAW ADOPTED ON REDUCED HOURS FOR WOMEN [...] (U) SUMMARY: On July 18, the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies adopted a law that will allow some female employees to work part-time while still receiving two-thirds of their original salary. While the GOT states the law was motivated by a desire to allow Tunisians to balance family and professiona [...] |
2006-09-06 14:28:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV PHUM SOCI TS |
| 06TUNIS2303 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: AUGUST 15 - August 31 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Central Bank Figures Show Climbing Inflation B. Tunisian Olive Oil Exports Fall Below GOT's Expectations C. Tunisia and Libya Continue Dialogue on Trade, Tourism D. Tunisia to Increa [...] |
2006-09-07 07:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD ELAB EAIR TS |
| 06TUNIS2321 | SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FOR [...] (SBU) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) delegation's September 13-14 2006 visit to Tunisia. This cable provides a brief overview of the political situation in Tunisia, as well as a summary of the business climate. -------------------------- [...] |
2006-09-08 11:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI PREL PGOV PHUM PINR PTER ASEC ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS2329 | BEN GUERDANE'S "LIBYAN SOUK": CHEAP GOODS, BIG [...] (SBU) Summary: In the "Libyan souk" of Ben Guerdane, a town 30 kilometers from the Tunisian-Libyan border, Tunisians can pay bargain prices for questionably imported, often counterfeited goods from Libya. Although the GOT asserts that it is committed to intellectual property right protection [...] |
2006-09-11 09:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR LY TS |
| 06TUNIS2408 | TUNISIA: INTERFERENCE IN USG ACTIVITIES ON RISE; [...] (C) Summary. Embassy personnel are increasingly subject to GOT interference in their meetings and activities, the result of a culture of paranoia about dealing with foreign governments that appears to have spilled over from the MOI. While the phenomenon itself is not new, or targeted only at [...] |
2006-09-20 13:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS2414 | ZARZIS FREE TRADE ZONE DISAPPOINTED BY LACK OF [...] (SBU) Summary: Ten years after its opening, the Zarzis free trade zone, located in Southeastern Tunisia, has failed to create the foreign investment and job promotion intended, despite generous incentives offered by the GOT. In a meeting with EconOff, newly-designated Director General for the [...] |
2006-09-21 10:42:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD BEXP LY TS |
| 06TUNIS2418 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: SEPTEMBER 1 - 15 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Unemployment Holds Steady at 14.2 Percent B. Tunisia and Morocco Continue Dialogue on Cooperation C. Emirates Lands in Tunisia D. Italy's Benetton Invests in Tunisian Textiles E. T [...] |
2006-09-21 12:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ELAB EAIR EINT ECPS KTEX TS |
| 06TUNIS2424 | MICROSOFT INKS AGREEMENT WITH GOT [...] (SBU) Summary: During the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum in South Africa July 11-12, the GOT and the Microsoft Corporation signed a partnership agreement that provides for Microsoft investment in training, research, and development, but also commits the GOT to using licensed Microsoft soft [...] |
2006-09-22 10:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON TINT KIPR ECPS TS |
| 06TUNIS2464 | TUNISIAN TEXTILE SECTOR ADAPTS TO POST-QUOTA [...] (U) Summary: This is the first of a two-part series on the Tunisian textile sector. Part one addresses the impact of the end of the Multifiber Agreement on production and exports, as well as the sector's strategy for future competitiveness. After the end of the quota regime that existed unde [...] |
2006-09-29 14:57:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB ETRD BEXP KTEX TS |
| 06TUNIS2465 | TUNISIAN TEXTILE WORKERS FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE [...] (U) Summary: This is the second of a two-part series on the Tunisian textile sector. This cable addresses the impact of the end of the Multifiber Agreement on workers. While textile organizations and manufacturers viewed 2005 results as better than expected, the reality has been bleaker for [...] |
2006-09-29 14:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB ETRD BEXP KTEX TS |
| 06TUNIS2480 | EU MOVES -- SLOWLY -- AFTER BLOCKED LABOR [...] (C) Summary. In early September, the GOT blocked a prominent international NGO conference on labor and employment issues, ostensibly because the organizers had not given the GOT advance notification. Privately, GOT officials made clear to the organizers, who included European NGOs, a Spanis [...] |
2006-10-03 07:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL EU TS |
| 06TUNIS2482 | U.S.-EU COORDINATION ON TUNISIA: SHARED [...] (C/NF) Summary. In a September 27 meeting with Charge and Pol/EconCouns, European counterparts provided an update on the current EU thinking regarding Tunisia. There is a lack of EU consensus on approaching the GOT about blocked internet sites; that said, the EU may be interested in joint pri [...] |
2006-10-03 10:21:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL TS EU |
| 06TUNIS2492 | HIV/AIDS AND THE GLOBAL FUND: EMBASSY TUNIS [...] (U) Per reftel, an interagency committee, comprised of participants from the Health Unit, Public Affairs, the Political and Economic Section, and DOD's Office of Defense Cooperation reviewed the GOT submission to the Global Fund. The following comments are keyed to reftel para 8 questions: [...] |
2006-10-04 09:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID KHIV SOCI TBIO TS |
| 06TUNIS2501 | EMBASSY OFFICERS BLOCKED FROM MEETING HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Summary and Action Request: Embassy officers traveled to the northern city of Bizerte on October 5 to meet with the local chapter of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH). Approximately seventeen plain-clothes police physically barred Emboffs from entering the LTDH compound, which is als [...] |
2006-10-05 17:57:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS252 | BEN ALI'S NEW YEAR'S SPEECH TO DIPLOMATIC CORPS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 2, Ambassador, along with the entire resident and non-resident Diplomatic Corps, was invited to present New Year's greetings to President Ben Ali. In addition to personally greeting all ambassadors, Ben Ali delivered a speech outlining GOT political priorities. The [...] |
2006-02-06 15:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV PINR TS |
| 06TUNIS2527 | TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE ISSUES [...] The Bizerte Chapter of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) on October 6 issued a communique protesting the forcible blocking by plain-clothes police of a meeting the previous day between U.S. Embassy officials and members of the Bizerte LTDH branch (reftel). An informal English translatio [...] |
2006-10-11 09:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS2534 | HACKERS BREAK THE CODE TO AL-JAZEERA SPORTS CHANNEL [...] According to an As-Sabah Al-Ousboui newspaper article published September 25, 2006, Tunisian hackers have been able to break the encryption code for Al-Jazeera Sports Channel and are now selling bootleg access cards at cut-rate prices. The article tells its readers where they can go to procure [...] |
2006-10-11 13:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR AG FR MO TC UK TS |
| 06TUNIS2538 | TUNISIA OUTRANKS U.S. IN COMPETITIVENESS, SAYS [...] (SBU) The Government of Tunisia is gloating over its ranking in the 2006 Global Competitiveness Report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on September 26th. Classified as the 30th most competitive country in the world and first among African and Middle East countries, Tunisia advanced [...] |
2006-10-11 15:06:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ELAB ETRD TC UK MO TS |
| 06TUNIS2539 | TUNISIAN EXPATS MAKE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE HOME [...] (U) Summary: Each summer thousands of Tunisian expatriates return on ferry boats from Europe to visit family, attend weddings, and spend their vacations. The ferry returnees are largely working class Tunisians, who moved to Europe in search of employment and a chance to improve their social s [...] |
2006-10-12 09:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ETRD ECON ELAB SMIG LY TS |
| 06TUNIS2565 | TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT CRACKS DOWN ON HIJAB [...] (C) Summary: By all accounts, the number of women wearing the hijab or adopting some Islamic-inspired headdress in Tunisia has skyrocketed in recent years. In response, the GOT's periodic campaign of words and actions against Tunisian women wearing the hijab has increased in intensity. A 198 [...] |
2006-10-13 15:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS257 | AMBASSADOR AND FM DISCUSS PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS, [...] (C) Summary: In a wide-ranging conversation at the MFA on February 6, Ambassador and Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah discussed the Palestinian elections and future of the peace process, Iran,s nuclear ambitions, the status of SOFA negotiations, prospects for Maghreb unity, freedom of the press [...] |
2006-02-06 15:57:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS2570 | SUHA ARAFAT ACQUIRES TUNISIAN NATIONALITY [...] (SBU) The Government of Tunisia's Official Journal of September 26 published a notice that Suha Arafat, wife of the late Palestinian Authority president, and her 11-year old daughter Zahwa had acquired Tunisian nationality. Mrs. Arafat and her daughter have been living in Tunisia since the 2004 dea [...] |
2006-10-17 06:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL TS |
| 06TUNIS2585 | TUNISIA INSTRUCTS UN MISSION TO SUPPORT GUATEMALA [...] (C/NF) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chef de Cabinet Hatem Atallah on October 17 convoked Charge for a one-on-one meeting to give his assurances that the GOT had instructed its UN Mission in New York to vote for Guatemala for the UNSC seat. "Don't believe anything you hear otherwise," Atallah m [...] |
2006-10-17 15:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL UNSC GT VE AL TS |
| 06TUNIS2586 | TUNISIAN INTERFERENCE IN U.S. EMBASSY ACTIVITIES: [...] (C/NF) Summary. According to Foreign Minister Abdallah's Chef de Cabinet, recent charges of GOT interference in Embassy activities were either baseless fabrications or the result of a misinterpretation of events by Post. Alternating between feigning shock, surprise, anger, and hurt, Atallah [...] |
2006-10-17 15:10:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS2598 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: SEPT. 16 - OCT. 15 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Trade Balance Continues to Deteriorate B. Emirates Bukhatir to Build 5 Billion USD "Sports City" C. Emirati DIG Increases Stake in Karthago Airlines D. Legal Retirement Age to Be Rai [...] |
2006-10-20 08:20:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ELAB EAGR EFIN EINV EAIR KPRV TS |
| 06TUNIS2639 | TUNISIAN EMBASSY IN QATAR CLOSED TO PROTEST [...] (C) SUMMARY. On October 25, the Tunisian MFA announced the closure of Tunisia's embassy in Qatar, citing al-Jazeera's lack of objectivity. The announcement followed numerous international media reports that Tunisia had withdrawn its ambassador in protest over al-Jazeera coverage of Tunisian d [...] |
2006-10-27 14:14:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KPAO KDEM QA TS |
| 06TUNIS2661 | MOVEMENT OF 18 OCTOBER: WEAK, DIVIDED, BUT [...] (C) Summary. The Movement of 18 October, a disparate group of opposition political leaders and activists promoting freedom of expression, association, and amnesty for political prisoners, recently marked its one year anniversary. While movement leaders claim the group has sent a strong message [...] |
2006-10-31 11:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS2663 | PSI LETTER ON UNSCR 1718 DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] |
2006-10-31 14:30:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM KNNP PREL PHSA EWWT EAIR PBTS TS |
| 06TUNIS2665 | SCRAP THAT TENDER!! ENERCIEL VS STEG -- THE [...] (C) Summary. In a meeting with representatives of the U.S. company UPC Wind Partners (UPC) and its subsidiary Enerciel Tunisie, Emboffs were briefed on the current status of UPC/Enerciel's wind energy investment (which already approaches USD 3 million) and their ongoing problems with GOT's e [...] |
2006-10-31 14:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON ENRG KIDE EINV TS |
| 06TUNIS2679 | WOMENS' "NGO": LESS HIJAB, MORE BEN ALI [...] (C) SUMMARY. A recent meeting of a major pro-GOT Tunisian women's NGO to discuss Tunisian values turned into a rally in support of Ben Ali and his policies. While ostensibly a meeting in support of secular and moderate values, the October 27 event organized by the National Union of the Tunisi [...] |
2006-11-01 09:48:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM SOCI TS |
| 06TUNIS2684 | TUNISIANS FEEL PINCH OF HIGH PRICES THIS RAMADAN [...] (SBU) Summary: Ramadan spending combined with rising inflation hit many Tunisians in the pocket book this year. While the GOT attempted to put its best foot forward by keeping prices low and stepping up enforcement of price controls, these measures did little to address rising inflation and co [...] |
2006-11-01 15:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN TS |
| 06TUNIS2688 | EMBASSY OFFICERS BLOCKED, AGAIN, FROM MEETING [...] (C) SUMMARY. ON OCTOBER 27, EMBASSY OFFICERS TRIED FOR A SECOND TIME TO MEET WITH THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE (LTDH). THREE WEEKS EARLIER, POLICE HAD BLOCKED SUCH A MEETING, AND IN FOLLOW-ON CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOT, NO VALID REASON HAD BEEN GIVEN FOR THE PROHIBITIO [...] |
2006-11-01 16:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS2689 | SCRAP THAT TENDER!! ENERCIEL VS STEG -- THE [...] (C) Summary. In recent meetings with representatives of the U.S. company UPC Wind Partners (UPC) and its subsidiary Enerciel Tunisie, Emboffs were briefed on the current status of UPC/Enerciel's wind energy investment (which already approaches USD 3 million) and their ongoing problems with G [...] |
2006-11-01 16:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON ENRG KIDE EINV TS |
| 06TUNIS2690 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: TRANSFER OF TUNISIAN DETAINEES [...] No summary [...] |
2006-11-02 09:46:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PINR KWAC TS |
| 06TUNIS2693 | PRODI VISIT REINFORCES ITALY-TUNISIA RELATIONSHIP [...] (C) SUMMARY. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi visited Tunis on October 30 for meetings with Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. According to Italian embassy contacts, Prodi's visit is part of a regional tour that includes Rabat and Algiers. While focusing on bilateral cooperation, [...] |
2006-11-02 12:36:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS2702 | EMBASSY TUNIS PREPARES NIV APPLICANTS FOR NEW EVAF [...] SUMMARY: For the last two months, post consular and public affairs sections have been engaged in a campaign to increase public awareness about the new EVAF requirements. Through press releases and a roundtable discussion, liaison with the host government, and by using posters and public speakin [...] |
2006-11-03 08:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | CVIS CMGT SOCI LY TS |
| 06TUNIS2742 | TUNISIA - INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY [...] (U) Tunisia is not considered an important regional financial center due in large part to the very strict control exercised by the Central Bank over financial transactions, particularly those involving foreign currency. There is no discernible money laundering activity reported to be occurrin [...] |
2006-11-09 16:06:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN KCRM KTFN TS |
| 06TUNIS2743 | FOREIGN MINISTER ABDALLAH LAYS IT ON THICK [...] (C) SUMMARY: FOREIGN MINISTER ABDALLAH ON NOVEMBER 6 CONVOKED CHARGE, "FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON." IN REALITY, THE GOAL OF THE MEETING WAS QUITE CLEAR: ABDALLAH SOUGHT TO EMPHASIZE THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE U.S.-TUNISIAN BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP, WHICH HE ENTHUSIASTICALLY CHARACTERIZED AS "TR [...] |
2006-11-09 16:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS2744 | BEN ALI CELEBRATES 19 YEARS IN POWER [...] (C) SUMMARY. On November 7, Tunisian President Ben Ali celebrated the nineteenth anniversary of his assumption of power with a speech that highlighted his accomplishments and offered a few minor policy proposals. Typically, the speech focused on economic achievements and proposals. Although [...] |
2006-11-13 06:55:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS2749 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: Oct. 16 - Oct. 31 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. GOT to Issue a Travel Allowance Card B. GOT Projects 5.3 percent GDP Growth for 2006 C. Central Bank Concerned About Household Debt D. Tunisia Signs Science Cooperation Deal with Chi [...] |
2006-11-14 08:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ELAB EFIN SENV KTEX TS |
| 06TUNIS2752 | BEN ALI 2009: THE CAMPAIGN BEGINS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Immediately on the heels of the nineteenth anniversary of Ben Ali's rule on November 7th, his campaign for the 2009 elections appears to have began. RCD regional entities and senior GOT officials supported the RCD-controlled Chamber of Advisors' November 9th call for Ben Ali to r [...] |
2006-11-14 15:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PGOV KDEM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS2753 | United Arab Emirates Investments Target Tunisia [...] SUMMARY: In a period of less than 12 months, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the biggest single foreign investor in Tunisia, surpassing France, which, excluding energy, has been the largest investor in Tunisia over the last five years. Comment: While UAE investors have been active in [...] |
2006-11-15 07:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ECON ETRD TS |
| 06TUNIS2763 | GLOBAL IMPORT REGULATIONS FOR USED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT [...] Post submits the information below in response to reftel. The Tunisian Ministry of Commerce has supplied updated information concerning the import of used medical equipment into Tunisia. 2. Current regulations and practices are as follows: A. There is no statutory prohibition on the i [...] |
2006-11-15 16:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP EIND ETRD TS |
| 06TUNIS2771 | Carrefour Closes its Counterfeit Optical Disc Sales [...] (SBU) Summary: The GOT is taking positive steps to target the retail sector for enforcement of IPR. The Tunisian franchisee of retail giant Carrefour has stopped its practice of openly selling pirated optical discs. In addition, Carrefour's circulars now contain an explicit warning against r [...] |
2006-11-17 09:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIPR ECON ETRD TS |
| 06TUNIS2772 | Erroneous Media Reports of a U.S./Tunisia Free Trade [...] (U) Local news media recently published an article indicating that despite a relative slowdown of talks between the two parties, the U.S. and Tunisia were exploring opportunities aimed at concluding a Free Trade Agreement and mentioning that work groups have been set up to look into the servic [...] |
2006-11-17 10:10:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIPR ECON ETRD TS |
| 06TUNIS2773 | GOT RELEASES 55 AN-NAHDHA PRISONERS [...] (C) Summary: On November 4, President Ben Ali pardoned an unspecified number of prisoners on the occasion of the November 7 holiday marking his accession to power in 1987. Among those released were 55 prisoners that had been imprisoned on charges related to their membership in the banned Tunis [...] |
2006-11-17 11:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS2776 | RSVP: EXTRANCHECK: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION; [...] (SBU) EconOff was unable to conduct requested Post-Shipment Verification (reftel) despite numerous attempts to do so. The ultimate Consignee for this shipment of L72 laser sights was the Tunisian Ministry of Interior (MOI). 2. (SBU) The MOI has been reluctant to schedule an on-site visi [...] |
2006-11-17 16:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | BEXP ETRD ETTC IT TS |
| 06TUNIS2782 | GERMAN FM CALLS FOR POLITICAL REFORM IN TUNISIA; [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY. GERMANFOREIGN MINISTER STEINMEIER'S NOVEMBER 16 VISIT TO TUNISIA MADE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES FOR THE STONG MESSAGE HE CARRIED -- BALANCING PRAISE FOR TNISIA'S PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IGHTS WITH A CALL FOR GREATER POLITICAL REFORM. STEINMEIER'S MEETING WITH [...] |
2006-11-20 16:20:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PINR EU GM TS |
| 06TUNIS2783 | UPDATE OF WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR INFORMATION [...] No summary [...] |
2006-11-21 07:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI TS |
| 06TUNIS2786 | BEN ALI IN PUBLIC: OLD, BUT NOT NECESSARILY OVER [...] (S/NF) Despite ongoing rumors that he is seriously ill (reftel), President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali presided over the opening of a major local event on November 21 and delivered a lengthy speech. Ben Ali spoke on the occasion of the opening of the 14th Congress of the Tunisian Employers' Associ [...] |
2006-11-21 14:38:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR TS |
| 06TUNIS2787 | TUNISIA: NO AMBASSADOR TO ATTEND LEBANON'S [...] (C) On November 21, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche encouraging Tunisia not to attend the Lebanese National Day Reception hosted by President Lahoud on November 22 to Saida Chtioui, MFA Secretary of State for the Americas and Asia. Chtioui said that Tunisia has not had an ambassador in Le [...] |
2006-11-21 16:21:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS2797 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: BMENA FORUM FOR THE FUTURE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-11-24 07:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KMPI PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS2798 | BEN ALI ANNOUNCES NEW POLICIES TO FACILITATE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. On November 21, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali spoke on the occasion of the opening of the 14th Congress of the Tunisian Employers' Association for Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) and delivered a speech announcing some new economic and commercial policies. Designed to [...] |
2006-11-24 07:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV PGOV ETRD TS |
| 06TUNIS2801 | AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO FOREIGN [...] (C/NF) Summary: Ambassador Godec presented a copy of his credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelwaheb Abdallah on November 18. In an hour long meeting, Ambassador and FM discussed a range of issues, but clearly most important to Abdallah was the point he made the week before to Charg [...] |
2006-11-24 09:14:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS2802 | VISIT OF EMIR FORESHADOWS RE-OPENING OF TUNISIAN [...] (C) Qatari Ambassador Saad Ben Nasser al-Hamidi told Ambassador that the Emir of Qatar, on a private visit to Tunisia, met one-on-one with President Ben Ali on November 22. The session was an effort to resolve differences, following recent frictions between Tunisia and Qatar over satellite T [...] |
2006-11-24 13:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAO KDEM QA TS |
| 06TUNIS2803 | SECRETARY'S STRATEGY SESSION ON WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT [...] Post shared reftel's fact sheet on the Secretary's Women's Empowerment Working Session with the GOT and relevant local NGOs. Any response will be reported septel. 2. S/WE may wish to include the Tunisian Minister for Women's Affairs in future activities: Salwa Ayachi Labben Minister of W [...] |
2006-11-27 07:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KWMN PREL UNGA TS |
| 06TUNIS2814 | GOT OUTLINES LEGAL ASSURANCES FOR S/WCI AMB. [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY. During his November 15-17 visit to Tunisia, Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Clint Williamson met on November 16 with Tunisian Minister of Interior Rafik Bel Haj Kacem and on November 17 with Minister of Justice and Human Rights Bechir Tekkari to discuss the repatriat [...] |
2006-11-28 08:05:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER KAWC PHUM PINR PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS2823 | BEN ALI STATEMENT ON SOLIDARITY WITH THE [...] (SBU) On November 28, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali issued a statement calling on the international community to protect the Palestinian people. On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (November 29), Ben Ali reinforced Tunisia's traditional suppo [...] |
2006-11-30 07:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KPAL TS |
| 06TUNIS2826 | GOT PREVENTS LEGAL OPPOSITION PARTY FROM [...] (C) Summary: Leaders of the legal opposition party Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties (FDTL) attempted to register a new newspaper on November 16, but were denied the necessary receipt from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) that would allow the would-be publishers to begin the process of au [...] |
2006-11-30 14:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KPAO KMPI KDEM PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS2843 | TUNISIAN CHALLENGES FOR THE AL-JAZEERA MAGHREB [...] (C) On December 1, Lotfi Hajji, the Tunisian correspondent for al-Jazeera Satellite Channel (JSC), outlined for PolOffs the difficulties he is having in organizing Tunisian participants for the new Rabat-based nightly JSC program on the Maghreb (Ref A). Hajji, who has written articles for alj [...] |
2006-12-05 11:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KPAO OIIP KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS2844 | TUNISIAN JOURNALISTS UNION ONE STEP CLOSER TO [...] (C) SUMMARY. The Tunisian Journalists' Union (SJT, not authorized by the GOT) has begun coordinating with the General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) to establish a journalists' union under the rubric of the UGTT. The SJT, led by al-Jazeera correspondent and opposition activist Lotfi Hajji, [...] |
2006-12-05 11:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB KPAO KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS2856 | AFTER INITIAL REFUSAL, GOT AUTHORIZES NEW [...] (C) Only weeks after refusing legal opposition party Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties (FDTL) leadership the necessary paperwork to begin the process of authorization to publish a newspaper (Ref A), the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has reversed its position and approved publication, party [...] |
2006-12-06 14:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KPAO PHUM KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS2861 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: Nov. 1 - Nov. 30 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Tunisia Plans to Build Nuclear Power Plant by 2020 B. Tunisie Telecom Privatization Receipts To Reduce External Debt C. Central Bank Intervenes in Bank Lending D. GOT Subsidies R [...] |
2006-12-07 09:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EFIN ENRG EAID EPET TS |
| 06TUNIS2878 | TIP GLOBAL CONFERENCE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-11 12:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB SMIG KCRM PHUM AE TS |
| 06TUNIS2880 | ROLL-OUT OF SECURE FREIGHT INITIATIVE PHASE I [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-11 13:14:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KHLS EWWT ASEC ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS2887 | WITHER LABOR INDEPENDENCE? THE UGTT ELECTIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY. As Tunisia's single labor confederation enters the final days before its December 14-16 congress to elect new leadership, labor activists continue to express their concerns that the results will indicate continued GOT influence over key officials. The General Union of Tunisian W [...] |
2006-12-13 07:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB KDEM PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS2899 | MAGHREB LEADERS EXTOL VIRTUES OF FREE TRADE [...] (SBU) Summary: At a recent two-day conference on Maghreb business and trade, regional leaders and businessmen extolled the virtues of increased regional economic integration and lamented the currently low levels of trade and investment between the Maghreb countries. Participants hailed from al [...] |
2006-12-13 16:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECIN ETRD EINV TS |
| 06TUNIS2910 | Beywatch: American Passports and African Development? [...] INTRODUCTION: This report is one of a series drafted by Post's entry level officers which have the "Beywatch" caption. We believe the perspectives offered in the following vignette will give the reader a sense of everyday life in Tunisia. For more information about Tunisia or the Embassy Tuni [...] |
2006-12-14 15:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI CVIS SY TS |
| 06TUNIS2911 | TUNISIAN INTERACTION WITH SYRIA [...] (C) During his December 14 courtesy call with M'hamed Chelaifa, Director General for Asia and the Americas, Ambassador raised reftel demarche regarding Tunisian interaction with Syrian officials. Chelaifa said he was not aware of any high-level visits scheduled between Syria and Tunisia. He [...] |
2006-12-14 15:59:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL PTER SY TS |
| 06TUNIS2916 | ADB PRESIDENT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BANK'S FUTURE, WARY [...] (U) Summary: During the Ambassador's December 11 courtesy call on African Development Bank (ADB) President Donald Kaberuka, Kaberuka touched on the differing problems and varying situations of African nations and the importance of adapting the services provided by the ADB to meet these challen [...] |
2006-12-15 14:53:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID EFIN ECIN KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS2926 | TUNISIA NOT TO ATTEND RSSS WORKSHOP [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-19 07:47:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ENRG TRGY EG TS |
| 06TUNIS2949 | TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES MOUNTING, IN SPITE OF [...] (C) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION: THE GOT CELEBRATED HUMAN RIGHTS DAY ON DECEMBER 10TH WITH THE USUAL SPEECHES ABOUT TUNISIA'S RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, AND WITH NEW INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. MEANWHILE, HARASSMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, OPPOSITION PARTY ACTIVISTS [...] |
2006-12-20 16:02:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS2950 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: Dec. 1 - Dec. 15 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Tunisia to Increase Transit Capacity of Algerian Gas to Italy B. FDI Up Nearly Ten Percent in 2006 C. Inflation Down in November ------------------------------------ Tunisia to Inc [...] |
2006-12-21 07:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV EPET EAIR TS |
| 06TUNIS2957 | THE BUSINESS OF HAJJ IN TUNISIA [...] (C) SUMMARY. DESPITE THEIR GOVERNMENT'S SECULAR LEANINGS, THE NUMBER OF TUNISIANS WISHING TO PERFORM THE ANNUAL HAJJ PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA IS INCREASING IN PARALLEL WITH TUNISIANS GENERALLY BECOMING MORE RELIGIOUS. WHILE TUNISIAN AUTHORITIES, LIKE MOST MUSLIM GOVERNMENTS, UNDERTAKE SIGNIFICANT [...] |
2006-12-22 10:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS2963 | COMMERCE MINISTRY TALKS TOUGH ON IPR [...] (SBU) Leila Fethi, in charge of implementing programs in the Economic Control Division (ECD) in the Tunisian Ministry of Commerce and Handicrafts, discussed with EconOff the recent removal of pirated optical disks from retail giant Carrefour and upcoming GOT actions on the intellectual propert [...] |
2006-12-26 14:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR TS |
| 06TUNIS2970 | EXXONMOBIL STIFLED BY EXCESSIVE GOT REGULATION, [...] (C) Summary: In a December 20 meeting with EconOff, ExxonMobil Tunisia Director General Arnaud Blouin lamented the difficulty of doing business in Tunisia and questioned whether ExxonMobil has a future in Tunisia. Blouin presented a laundry list of complaints ranging from Central Bank currenc [...] |
2006-12-27 15:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EINV EPET ETRD BEXP TS |
| 06TUNIS2973 | SHOOT OUT LEADS TO SECURITY CLAMP DOWN [...] (C) SUMMARY. In what may be a first in Tunisia, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced on December 24 that a gun battle had occurred on the night of December 23 between the Tunisian police and armed individuals in a southern suburb of Tunis. With further details vague, the subsequent increa [...] |
2006-12-28 13:46:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ASEC PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS299 | TUNISIAN UNION COMPLAINS OF GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a February 7 meeting with Laboff on other topics, General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) Assistant Secretary General for International Affairs Mohamed Trabelsi criticized the GOT for restricting press coverage of the UGTT's 60th anniversary celebrations in January. Trabels [...] |
2006-02-13 10:30:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS344 | ENVIRONMENTAL WOES AND SOLUTIONS IN GABES [...] (SBU) Summary: The southern coastal town of Gabes is one of the primary industrial zones in the country. While chemical factories have provided jobs boosting the local and national economy, resulting pollution has severely damaged the local ecosystem and posed health risks to the population, [...] |
2006-02-16 08:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SENV TS |
| 06TUNIS358 | Special Media Reaction: SecDef Visit to Tunis [...] (SBU) Summary. Tunisian broadcast and print media prominently covered the February 10 - 11 visit of Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to Tunis. The local SIPDIS reporting on the visit emphasized the positive strategic alliance between the U.S. and Tunisia as well as the Secretary's laudatory r [...] |
2006-02-17 13:40:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPAO OIIP TS |
| 06TUNIS373 | HAMAS VICTORY: DEMOCRATIC REFORM IMPLICATIONS [...] Summary: Pro-democracy contacts from across the region were shocked by the magnitude of the recent Hamas electoral victory, but at the same time were impressed by the genuinely democratic process. Looking at the impact that these events could have on democratic reform in the region, the democr [...] |
2006-02-21 16:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KMPI KDEM PREL XT TS |
| 06TUNIS387 | ANOTHER 18 OCTOBER MEETING BLOCKED [...] (C) Summary: GOT security forces prevented a majority of members of the 18 October Committee (18OC) from attending a press conference held by the group on February 21. Although there were reports that excessive violence was used, Poloff witnessed the opposite: deliberate restraint by police [...] |
2006-02-22 15:48:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KMPI KPAO KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS388 | TUNISIAN ASSOCIATION OF DEMOCRATIC WOMEN ON GOT [...] (C) Summary: On February 9, Poloffs met with senior officials of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD), an authorized and independent NGO active in debating and publicizing women's issues. While focused primarily on social issues, ATFD leaders have at times been outspoken critic [...] |
2006-02-22 15:53:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KPAO KMPI KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS392 | ARAB MAGHREB UNION LABOR OFFICIALS PESSIMISTIC [...] SUMMARY. (C) During a February 17 meeting, officials of the Labor Union of Arab Maghreb Workers (USTMA), the labor entity of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), expressed pessimism about the AMU's ability to revitalize itself. Officials said the recent appointment of a former Tunisian foreign minist [...] |
2006-02-23 10:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS423 | NIH DIRECTOR ZERHOUNI ASSESSES POSSIBILITIES FOR [...] SUMMARY. National Institute of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Elias Zerhouni accompanied by a multi-disciplinary team, visited Tunis January 19-21 to understand research priorities and related GOT commitment. The team was impressed with the state of care and research in Tunisia; found the involve [...] |
2006-02-27 15:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM TBIO KPAO SOCI NIH OVIP MEPI |
| 06TUNIS425 | GOT RELEASES MORE THAN 1600 PRISONERS, INCLUDING [...] (C) Summary: On February 26, all daily newspapers carried an official GOT press release stating that President Ben Ali freed 1,298 prisoners and granted "conditional freedom" to 359 others. Notable among those released were approximately 70 members of banned Tunisian Islamist party an-Nahdha, [...] |
2006-02-27 15:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS435 | TUNISIA CONSIDERS NUCLEAR POWER [...] (C) SUMMARY: In light of Tunisia's ongoing energy challenges, the Tunisian press reported in mid-February that the GOT is studying the possible development of nuclear, and other alternative, power to meet its domestic energy needs to combat the challenge of rising oil prices. MFA contacts str [...] |
2006-02-28 15:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG PREL PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS452 | TUNISIAN RESPONSE: COLLABORATING WITH [...] SUMMARY: Embassy Tunis welcomes the OES-led initiative to develop targeted activities in support of basic science and mathematics education, which are top priorities in Tunisia. Opportunities I-V, presented in reftel A, are all viable options for collaboration with Tunisian groups. In addi [...] |
2006-03-02 11:02:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PREL SENV KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS480 | GOT REACTION TO PRISONER RELEASE STATEMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 3, MFA Secretary of State for American and Asian Affairs Saida Chtioui summoned Charg to present a formal GOT reaction to the Department statement on the February 25 release of over 1600 Tunisian prisoners. Chtioui expressed the GOT's "surprise" that the Spokesman had ref [...] |
2006-03-03 16:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS501 | LTDH TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS STRICT GOT CONTROLS OVER [...] (C) SUMMARY: The February 25 court appearance of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), which resulted in an administrative postponement, provided rare insight into the extent to which GOT security forces can prevent civil society from operating. While foreign diplomats were allowed entry a [...] |
2006-03-06 15:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KDEM TS |
| 06TUNIS540 | MODERATE TUNISIAN RESPONSE TO CARTOON CRISIS [...] (U) Summary: Most Tunisian intellectuals and media responded with moderate and thoughtful commentary to the Danish cartoons featuring the Prophet Mohamed. While some editors used the polemic as an occasion to again criticize American foreign policy in the Arab world, most of the editorial re [...] |
2006-03-09 12:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KPAO ECIP SOCI TS |
| 06TUNIS55 | SUCCESSION IN TUNISIA: FINDING A SUCCESSOR OR FEET FIRST? [...] (S) SUMMARY: In a country that has had only one president for over eighteen years, suddenly and unusually, talk of the post-Ben Ali era is growing. Several senior and well-connected individuals have recently raised Ben Ali's intentions for the future with Ambassador and other embassy officials. [...] |
2006-01-09 15:14:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PGOV PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS569 | MEPI OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED TO 120 JUNIOR CHAMBER [...] (U) SUMMARY. In February, Embassy Tunis' MEPI Coordinator spoke to the newly-elected presidents of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) chapters in Tunisia about MEPI programs, specifically highlighting the Small Grants Program. There are approximately 2,700 JCI members in Tunisia, aged 1 [...] |
2006-03-13 13:06:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KDEM KMPI PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS584 | NEW POLITICAL PARTY AUTHORIZED IN TUNISIA; CRITICS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 3, Tunisian authorities authorized the establishment of the "Green Party for Progress" (French acronym is PVP), the first new political party created since 2002. Although President Ben Ali recently said new parties would be registered (reftel), the rapid approval of a [...] |
2006-03-14 15:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS622 | SENIOR GOT OFFICIALS' COMMENTS TARGET USG AND EU [...] (C) SUMMARY: Recent speeches by senior GOT officials have directly addressed domestic reform initiatives of (while not mentioning by name) USG, as well as other foreign entities and domestic activists. Presidential Spokesman and Advisor Abdelaziz Ben Dhia, Minister of Social Affairs Ali Chao [...] |
2006-03-16 15:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS629 | LARGER THAN EXPECTED BIDS FOR TUNISIA'S LARGEST [...] (SBU) The larger-than-expected bids (ranging from USD 1.76 to 1.92 billion) for the partial-privatization of Tunisia's telecommunications giant - Tunisie Telecom - continues to be welcome economic news. Local media announced March 15 that the initial slate of six bidders on Tunisie Telecom had [...] |
2006-03-17 15:04:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECPS EINV ECON TS |
| 06TUNIS635 | WORKING-CLASS OPINIONS AND COMMENTS IN TUNISIA [...] SUMMARY: Throughout 2005 and early 2006, Tunisians have complained about rising price levels. Everything from olive oil, to gasoline, to automobile insurance has seen price increases in recent months, and there is a rise in official and actual inflation. Middle-class to lower-income Tunisia [...] |
2006-03-17 15:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN EPET TS |
| 06TUNIS637 | Special Media Reaction: A/S Welch visit to Tunis [...] (SBU) Summary. Tunisian media provided wide and positive coverage of the March 14 -16 visit of Assistant Secretary Welch. Headlines in all papers focused on the SIPDIS strength and "excellence" of U.S.-Tunisian relations and referred to "discussions of international issues of mutual concer [...] |
2006-03-17 15:54:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPAO OIIP TS |
| 06TUNIS645 | TUNISIA: MINISTER TELLS A/S WELCH TUNISIA SERIOUS [...] (C) Summary. Minister of Development and International Cooperation Jouini told A/S Welch March 15 that job creation and boosting foreign investment were key challenges to Tunisia in the next ten years. Part of the strategy included diversifying trade exchanges, now primarily with the EU, to [...] |
2006-03-21 09:14:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EFTA PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS646 | A/S WELCH AND FM ABDALLAH: ISLAMISM, TUNISIA REFORM [...] (C) Summary: In a March 15 meeting with A/S Welch, FM Abdelwahab Abdallah discussed the "dangers of political Islam", claiming there is no such thing as moderate Islamists and accusing the West of having "insufficient knowledge of Islam," and being misled by the "double-speak of Islamists" who [...] |
2006-03-21 09:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KMPI PHUM TS |
| 06TUNIS647 | A/S WELCH AND FM ABDALLAH ON IRAN, ISRAEL, SUDAN, [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting March 15 in Tunis, FM Abdallah told A/S David Welch that during a recent trip to Iran he reinforced Tunisia's position supporting the peaceful use of nuclear energy, but condemning any proliferation of nuclear or chemical weapons. Abdallah claimed he petitioned his [...] |
2006-03-21 09:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAO KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS666 | BEN ALI'S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH FOCUSES ON [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Tunisia's independence, President Ben Ali delivered a major speech that outlined Tunisia's achievements and set clear and lofty goals for economic achievement in the next ten years. In addition to several new tax proposals, Ben Ali [...] |
2006-03-22 11:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON ELAB KDEM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS667 | INDEPENDENCE DAY PASSES LARGELY UNNOTICED [...] (C) SUMMARY: Although Tunisia's fiftieth anniversary of independence from French rule was marked by official events and speeches (reftel), few Tunisians seemed to take particular pride in the event. The country was festively decorated, but the public was largely uninvolved in celebrations. A [...] |
2006-03-22 11:04:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS669 | REPORTS OF ANTI-SEMITIC STUDENT DEMONSTRATION IN [...] (SBU) Summary: According to press reports and eyewitnesses, On March 10, approximately 100 students shouted anti-Israel and anti-Semitic slogans during a demonstration at Manouba University in Tunis at a ceremony marking the donation of books from the library of the late Jewish Tunisian histor [...] |
2006-03-22 12:10:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS670 | ISLAMISTS IN TUNISIA [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a recent roundtable with Tunisian intellectuals and civil society activists, participants discussed the challenges and opportunities for Islamists in Tunisia. (NOTE: In this discussion, Islamists were defined as Islamic political activists. END NOTE.) While noting that di [...] |
2006-03-22 13:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS73 | BEYWATCH - NEWS FROM TUNISIA AT THE END OF 2005 [...] The following is one of a series of reporting cables drafted predominantly by Post's entry level officers, which have the "Beywatch" caption. We believe the different perspectives offered in each of the following vignettes will give the reader a look into everyday life in Tunisia that may no [...] |
2006-01-17 07:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL SOCI UN TS |
| 06TUNIS730 | ABBOU UPDATE [...] (C) Summary: After a year in prison, Mohamed Abbou, jailed after posting two Internet articles critical of the GOT, President Ben Ali and his family, continues to receive attention and support from local and international human rights groups. The Tunisian Human Rights League head calls Abbou [...] |
2006-03-28 12:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS750 | FREEDOM AGENDA QUARTERLY REPORT [...] (C) SUMMARY: This quarter was marked by significant USG engagement of the GOT, including visits by SecDef Rumsfeld and NEA A/S Welch. The GOT took some positive steps towards increased political reform, including pardoning approximately eighty prisoners described as political prisoners by hum [...] |
2006-03-30 08:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV KMPI KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS753 | American Diplomat Builds Bridges of Understanding [...] Summary. During a March cultural program funded by the ECA Performing Arts Initiative and organized by Tunis PA, Embassy Political Officer Brennan Gilmore helped score a significant public diplomacy hit through his musical collaboration with Tunisian musician Riadh Fehri in a group called "K [...] |
2006-03-30 12:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OEXC OPRC SCUL SOCI TS |
| 06TUNIS755 | Embassy Tunis Opens First American Corner in [...] Summary. In January 2006, in the presence of close to 200 Tunisians, the Ambassador inaugurated the first American Corner in the country at the Tunis AMIDEAST headquarters. In his speech to a wide range of government officials, journalists, students, academics, and civil society partners, the [...] |
2006-03-30 14:21:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP OPRC SCUL SOCI OEXC TS |
| 06TUNIS771 | TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS: CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION [...] (SBU) On March 27, Poloff met with Ahlem Belhadj and Hafidha Checkir of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD) to discuss their 2002 report on child sexual exploitation, titled "A Situational Analysis of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Tunisia." (NOTE: This report i [...] |
2006-03-31 14:05:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM KWMN ELAB SMIG ASEC KFRD PREF TS |
| 06TUNIS784 | GOT COMBATS CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION THROUGH LAWS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On April 2, Poloff met with the Ministry of Women, Family, Children and Elderly Affairs (MWFCEA), to discuss GOT efforts to prevent child sexual exploitation. (NOTE: The issue was raised in a 2002 private study and Ref A. END NOTE.) Aida Ghorbal, the Ministry's Director General [...] |
2006-04-04 11:54:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM KWMN ELAB SMIG ASEC KFRD PREF TS |
| 06TUNIS80 | SECULARIST-ISLAMIST DIVIDE IN NEW DEMOCRACY [...] (C) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: The Network of Democrats in the Arab World was officially launched in Casablanca on December 17, 2005. Funded by DRL, the network brings together democracy activists of both "secular" and "Islamist" leanings. While differences between those two camps emerged quick [...] |
2006-01-17 15:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PHUM PREL |
| 06TUNIS807 | NASA SCIENTISTS ENGAGE YOUTH ON SOLAR RESEARCH IN [...] SUMMARY. On March 23-24, 2006, four NASA scientists addressed Tunisian youth interested in science and solar research at the main Tunisian public science center. Following up on a successful visit in fall 2005, the scientists participated in workshops with the Tunisian Young Scientists Associa [...] |
2006-04-06 12:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | TSPA KPAO TS |
| 06TUNIS808 | U.S./EU LUNCH ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN TUNISIA [...] No summary [...] |
2006-04-06 12:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI TS |
| 06TUNIS816 | HOW THE GOT INTIMIDATES CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS [...] (C) INTRO: Tunisian officials adhere closely to President Ben Ali's claim that Tunisia is making great advances towards becoming a modern, democratic state (Ref C), but it is no secret that authorities continue to monitor, intimidate, and SIPDIS seek to discredit civil society activists of a [...] |
2006-04-06 14:38:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PGOV TS |
| 06TUNIS845 | RUSSO-TUNISIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL CREATED [...] (SBU) Russian (and local) media reported March 27 on the establishment of a Russo-Tunisian Business Council during a Tunisian delegation's visit March 23-26 that included Tunisian Minister of Tourism Tijani Haddad. The council's creation was described as part of a broader Russian push to rein [...] |
2006-04-10 11:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON PREL ENRG RU TS |
| 06TUNIS872 | TUNISIAN ASSISTANCE FOR AFGHAN RECONSTRUCTION [...] No summary [...] |
2006-04-13 13:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV AF TS |
| 06TUNIS873 | TUNISIA'S SECOND CHAMBER: UPDATE AND OVERVIEW [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Chamber of Advisors, Tunisia's second parliamentary body, was created during a 2002 constitutional change and began work in August 2005. The Chamber's 112 members from across the country are responsible for reviewing all draft legislation, in cooperation with Tunisia's existin [...] |
2006-04-13 13:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PREL TS |
| 06TUNIS881 | THE "PEOPLE'S CAR" PROGRAM [...] (C) SUMMARY: One of the fundamental components of President Ben Ali's national agenda is the so-called "People's Car" program, established in 1996. Designed to support the ability of Tunisians to buy cars, the program supplies a set number of small family cars at reduced prices. Given high T [...] |
2006-04-14 14:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV SOCI TS |
| 06TUNIS973 | TUNISIA ADVERTISES GOOD TIES WITH IRAN, SYRIA [...] (C) Summary. Through its mostly-government controlled press, Tunisian officials are playing up positive economic and cultural exchanges between Tunisia and officials in Iran and Syria. Two visits to Tunis within a week--Iranian Vice President for Tourism and Heritage on April 15, and Syrian P [...] |
2006-04-24 15:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ETRD SY IR TS |
| 07TUNIS1004 | HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE OPTIMISTIC AMID SOME SIGNS OF [...] (C) During a July 23 meeting, Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) President Mokhtar Trifi told the Ambassador that the LTDH was open to any solution the GOT could offer to the League's crisis. The LTDH's only conditions would be the continued (political) independence of the League and its abi [...] |
2007-07-26 14:30:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS101 | BEN ALI TAKES THREE DAYS "REST" ON DOCTOR'S ORDERS [...] (U) ON JANUARY 23, THE TUNISIA AFRICA PRESS AGENCY (TAP) ANNOUNCED THAT PRESIDENT ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI IS TAKING THREE DAYS REST ON THE ADVICE OF HIS DOCTOR. THE TAP OFFICIAL STATEMENT FOLLOWS (INFORMAL EMBASSY TRANSLATION). BEGIN TEXT: THE OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE [...] |
2007-01-23 14:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS102 | DAS CARPENTER'S ROUNDTABLE WITH TUNISIAN CIVIL [...] (C) During his January 10-12 visit to Tunis, NEA Deputy Assistant Secretary J. Scott Carpenter met with six leaders of Tunisian civil society. In a wide-ranging two-hour discussion, several common themes emerged: -- critiques that the United States, rhetoric was falling behind it actions in [...] |
2007-01-23 15:53:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI TS |
| 07TUNIS1024 | CALVERT SUPPORT TO TUNISIA'S ENDA [...] (U) Per reftel request, Post provides the following background information on ENDA Inter-Arabe. ENDA and co-founder Essma Ben Hamida are well-known to the Embassy. Post has no objections to the proposed OPIC guaranty of Calvert Social Investment Foundation loans to ENDA. 2. (U) ENDA was fo [...] |
2007-07-31 15:19:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV ECON EFIN TS |
| 07TUNIS1025 | ROBERT SMOLIK SPEAKS ON GOOD GOVERNANCE AND [...] (U) During his three day visit (July 9-11) to Tunisia, FSO and Diplomat-in-Residence Robert Smolik addressed a wide range of audiences, including businesspeople, academics, students, media, GOT officials, and members of civil society groups on the topic of "Good Governance and Economic Growth." [...] |
2007-07-31 15:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KPAO ECON KCOR TS |
| 07TUNIS1040 | FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION MAIN ISSUE FOR OPPOSITION [...] (C) On July 26, the Ambassador met with Mohamed Harmel the outgoing Secretary General of the Renewal Movement (Et-Tajdid) party. Harmel spoke at length about the need for greater freedom of expression in Tunisia, including media access and public debate. Referring to President Bush's June [...] |
2007-08-02 07:46:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1043 | DEMARCHE RESPONSE: EVENT ON LITERACY AND HEALTH [...] (SBU) Post can not report at this time if the Head of State (HOS) or Head of Government (HOG) will attend UNGA, or if the HOS/HOG will be in New York on September 24. On July 23, Post sent a diplomatic note requesting information on the Tunisian delegation to the 62nd UNGA meetings. On July 2 [...] |
2007-08-03 07:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL SOCI TSPL UNGA TS |
| 07TUNIS1044 | MOHAMED ABBOU TO CONTINUE ACTIVISM FOR FREEDOM IN [...] (C) On July 31, EmbOffs met with Mohamed Abbou, a political prisoner released on July 24 after serving over two years of a three-and-a-half year sentence. He and his wife Samia expressed their appreciation for USG support of them and their family during Abbou's incarceration. Abbou discuss [...] |
2007-08-03 08:28:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL PTER KPAO KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS105 | MINISTER JOUINI: UNITED STATES AND TUNISIA NEED TO [...] (C/NF) Summary: During Ambassador's January 16 courtesy call on the Minister of Development and International Cooperation (MDIC), Mohamed Nouri Jouini discussed the way forward for the US-Tunisian economic relationship. Ambassador asked Jouini what he wanted out of the relationship over the n [...] |
2007-01-24 10:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON ETRD TS |
| 07TUNIS1058 | OCTOBER 18TH MOVEMENT: FOCUS ON 2009 ELECTION [...] (C) On July 26, the Ambassador met with five civil society activists involved in the October 18th movement (an alliance of disparate human rights and political activists that includes moderate Islamists). The October 18 group expressed deep concern about the lack of freedom of expression an [...] |
2007-08-03 15:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1061 | SUPPORTING TUNISIA'S COUNTER-TERRORISM EFFORT: A [...] No summary [...] |
2007-08-06 11:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MARR MASS KTIA PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS1064 | TUNISIA: PROMOTING THE PRESIDENT'S FREEDOM AGENDA [...] (SBU) Advancing the President's Freedom Agenda is Post's number one Mission Strategic Plan goal. As part of our push on freedom in Tunisia, the Ambassador and other Embassy officers meet frequently with democracy and human rights advocates, opposition political party members, and civil societ [...] |
2007-08-06 14:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1066 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PROMOTION OF STANDING [...] No summary [...] |
2007-08-07 09:06:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PREL PHUM ICRC TS |
| 07TUNIS1068 | THE TUNISIAN SECULAR STATE: A MODEL FOR THE MUSLIM [...] (C) Following independence in 1956, Tunisia has witnessed the development of a largely secular system of government that maintains a strict separation of mosque and state. Former President Bourguiba implemented policies that, building on Tunisia's secular leanings, established Tunisia as one o [...] |
2007-08-07 14:59:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI KISL PTER KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS1069 | MIXED TUNISIAN REACTION TO FREEDOM AGENDA [...] (C) Summary. As requested in Ref C and reported in Ref A, Post undertook a number of activities in June and July to promote the Freedom Agenda and draw attention to President Bush's Prague speech. While many in civil society expressed their appreciation for the USG's ongoing support for polit [...] |
2007-08-07 15:57:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PGOV KDEM PREL KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS107 | SPECIAL ENVOY RICKMAN HEARS FROM GOT THAT TUNISIA [...] (C) During a December visit to Tunisia by Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Anti-Semitism Gregg Rickman, GOT interlocutors claimed that there was "absolutely no problem" of anti-Semitism in Tunisia, and that Tunisia's small Jewish community lived in "perfect harmony" with Tunisian Muslims. H [...] |
2007-01-25 08:20:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KMPI TS |
| 07TUNIS1073 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Trade Gap Narrows B. President Signs US $14 Billion Emirati Project Bill C. GOT Offers Tax Amnesty for Capital Repatriation ----------------- Trade Gap Narrows ----------------- [...] |
2007-08-09 11:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV EFIN KTEX TS |
| 07TUNIS1075 | OPPOSITION PARTY REACHES OUT TO EMBASSY [...] (C) Requests for more American assistance and cooperation are not something we normally hear from Tunisian opposition parties, but it was exactly what the Social Democratic Movement (MDS) wanted to talk about during the Ambassador's August 8 meeting. MDS Secretary General Ismail Boulahia ha [...] |
2007-08-09 15:05:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1076 | PRO-GOT HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE FACTION OPEN TO A [...] (C) On August 1, the Ambassador met with the pro-GOT faction of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), which sued the Executive Committee of the LTDH to protest the consolidation of LTDH branches. The ensuing legal battle has virtually suspended all LTDH activities since 2005 (Ref B). The [...] |
2007-08-09 16:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1085 | SCENESCETTER FOR THE VISIT OF CODEL COSTELLO [...] (U) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Representative Jerry Costello and accompanying members of CODEL Costello to Tunis from August 18 - August 20, 2007. Tunisia proudly -- and justifiably -- calls itself a "country that works." Despite Tunisia's relatively small economy and lack of natural reso [...] |
2007-08-10 14:53:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP EWWT TS |
| 07TUNIS1095 | FRENCH AMBASSADOR,S VIEWS ON TUNISIAN POLITICAL [...] (C) French Ambassador Serge Degallaix told Ambassador Godec August 8 that the French Government believes the GOT is making progress on democracy and human rights, albeit slowly. Degallaix also said: -- President Sarkozy's visit to Tunisia was excellent, but major changes in French policy vis--v [...] |
2007-08-14 15:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PREL PTER FR TS |
| 07TUNIS111 | POLITICAL FSN SENTENCED UNDER QUESTIONABLE [...] (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. PLEASE SEE PARA 6. ------- SUMMARY ------- 2. (S/NF) ON JANUARY 24, POST'S SENIOR POLITICAL FSN JAMIL HALFAOUI WAS SENTENCED TO FOUR MONTHS IN PRISON ON A 2001 CHARGE OF DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, FOR WHICH HE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN FOUND NOT GUILTY. HALFAOUI [...] |
2007-01-25 18:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KMPI ASEC TS |
| 07TUNIS112 | TIMELINE ON EVENTS LEADING TO SENTENCING OF SENIOR [...] (C) ON JANUARY 24, POST'S SENIOR POLITICAL FSN JAMIL HALFAOUI WAS SENTENCED TO FOUR MONTHS IN PRISON ON A 2001 CHARGE OF DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, FOR WHICH HE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN FOUND NOT GUILTY. POST IS CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND IT APPEARS THE CASE MAY BE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED [...] |
2007-01-25 18:04:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KMPI ASEC TS |
| 07TUNIS1133 | TUNISIAN JOURNALIST SAYS DEFAMATION TRIAL [...] (C) On August 16, Tunisian journalist Omar Mestiri made his second court appearance in his ongoing trial for defamation. During an August 14 meeting, Mestiri opined that irregularities in the proceedings suggest that his trial is politically motivated. Mestiri was charged soon after he wro [...] |
2007-08-21 15:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1134 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-08-21 15:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL UNGA TS |
| 07TUNIS1135 | MONCEF BEY: BIG SCREENS, SMALL BILLS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The central Tunis "Moncef Bey" market is where most Tunisians go to buy affordable imported and counterfeit electronics. From cell phones to satellite dishes, plasma televisions to washing machines, Moncef Bey has nearly every kind of electronic equipment, household appliance, [...] |
2007-08-21 15:48:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON EFIN KIPR TS |
| 07TUNIS1136 | CODEL COSTELLO PROMOTES OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT AND [...] (SBU) During a August 18-20 visit to Tunisia, the 11 members of CODEL Costello were warmly welcomed by GOT officials, who were eager to highlight Tunisia's economic success and express their enthusiasm for the recently founded Tunisia caucus. Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi focused on the e [...] |
2007-08-21 16:30:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON EINV ETRD TS |
| 07TUNIS1157 | SECURING VIABLE ASSURANCES TO RESUME DETAINEE [...] (S) Serious allegations have been made regarding the treatment by Tunisian authorities of one of the two transferred Tunisians formerly detained at Guantanamo Bay. Before we can resume the transfer of detainees, the Embassy needs to review the allegations with senior GOT officials and obtain r [...] |
2007-08-22 15:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PTER KAWC PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS1159 | SCENESETTER FOR CODEL JACKSON LEE [...] (U) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and Representative Steve Chabot to Tunis from August 29 - August 30, 2007. Tunisia proudly -- and justifiably -- calls itself a "country that works." Despite Tunisia's relatively small economy and lack of natural resources, [...] |
2007-08-22 15:36:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PREL PGOV PHUM PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS1171 | TUNISIA: GUBERNATORIAL AND RCD CHANGES; CABINET [...] (C) The last several days in Tunisia have seen a reshuffle of governors, as well as the appointment of six new secretaries-general of the ruling Constitutional Democratic SIPDIS Rally (RCD) party. Most observers here expect a cabinet reshuffle will soon follow. One informed contact specula [...] |
2007-08-24 15:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS119 | TELECOM MINISTER SINGS PRAISES OF PRIVATIZATION, [...] (SBU) Summary: During Ambassador's January 23 courtesy call, Minister for Communications Technology Montasser Ouaili expressed enthusiasm for increasing US investment in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, allowing more competition, and for the full privatization of par [...] |
2007-01-26 14:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECPS EINT EINV BEXP OEXC TS |
| 07TUNIS120 | US COMPANIES BEMOAN COMPLEX REGULATIONS, BUT ARE [...] (U) During a January roundtable hosted by Ambassador, representatives of US companies in Tunisia highlighted a wide range of issues related to doing business in Tunisia. Common complaints included Tunisia's complex regulatory environment, excessive restrictions on importation, and poor telecom [...] |
2007-01-26 14:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | BEXP ETRD EINV ECPS EINT KIPR TS |
| 07TUNIS1202 | SCENESCETTER FOR ECONOMIC DELEGATION [...] (SBU) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes PDAS Elizabeth Dibble, DAS Holly Vineyard, Elizabeth Hopkins, Paul Burkhead, and Alex Severens to Tunis from September 9 - 12, 2007. After a productive roundtable with the GOT and private sector on a US-Tunisia Free Trade Agreement and a series of Ambassador [...] |
2007-08-30 16:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD EINV EAIR KIPR BEXP EFIN TS |
| 07TUNIS121 | BEN DHIA: POLFSN SHOULD APPEAL [...] (S/NF) ON JANUARY 26, MINISTER OF STATE, SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT AND OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRESIDENCY ABDELAZIZ BEN DHIA INVITED AMBASSADOR TO THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE TO FOLLOW UP ON AMBASSADOR'S JANUARY 25 INQUIRY ABOUT THE LEGAL CASE OF POLFSN JAMIL HALFAOUI (REFTELS). AMBASSAD [...] |
2007-01-26 15:28:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KMPI ASEC TS |
| 07TUNIS122 | AU CHAIRMANSHIP VOTE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-01-26 15:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SU TS |
| 07TUNIS1224 | CABINET RESHUFFLE HIGHLIGHTS BEN ALI FOCUS ON [...] (C) Following recent reshuffles of officials in the ruling party and regional governors (Ref A), President Ben Ali made a minor reshuffle to his cabinet on September 3. Five new ministers were appointed (for Public Health; Tourism; Trade and Handicrafts; Communications Technologies; and Women, [...] |
2007-09-05 14:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ETTC SOCI TS |
| 07TUNIS1225 | PLAINTIFF DROPS DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST TUNISIAN [...] (C) After Tunisian journalist Omar Mestiri made his third court appearance in his defamation trial on August 28, the plaintiff suddenly dropped his complaint and the case was dismissed. However, Tunisian prosecutors have the power to appeal the case months or years after the fact, even in su [...] |
2007-09-05 15:16:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1240 | TUNISIAN UNGA PARTICIAPTION [...] No summary [...] |
2007-09-12 11:28:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SOCI TSPL UNGA TS |
| 07TUNIS1248 | TUNISIAN ACTIVIST CLAIMS OFFICE FIRE IS ARSON [...] (C) During a September 6 meeting, attorney and political activist Ayachi Hammami told PolOff he believes the fire that ravaged his office on August 31 was deliberately set by representatives of the government. Hammami speculated that the attack was prompted by his drafting a report on the T [...] |
2007-09-13 18:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1249 | ECONOMIC DELEGATION SPURS GOT ACTION [...] (C) During a September 9-12 visit to Tunisia, the interagency economic delegation headed by EEB PDAS Elizabeth Dibble stressed the US commitment to strengthening the bilateral economic relationship and the need for concrete action. Meetings with Minister of Development and International Coope [...] |
2007-09-14 12:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EAIR EINV BEXP TS |
| 07TUNIS1257 | ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT [...] No summary [...] |
2007-09-17 06:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD KBCT USTRPS ECON EFIN TS |
| 07TUNIS1261 | AFDB PRESIDENT AIMS TO REGAIN MEMBER CONFIDENCE [...] (SBU) In a September 11 meeting with EEB PDAS Elizabeth Dibble, African Development Bank (AfDB) President Donald Kaberuka outlined his vision for the AfDB's future, emphasizing the need for greater selectivity and focus in Bank lending as well as strong support for the private sector. Kaberuk [...] |
2007-09-18 07:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID EINV XA |
| 07TUNIS1263 | MEPI LESSONS LEARNED 2: ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES [...] (SBU) Learning from early experience (reftel), MEPI has adopted a two-track approach to promoting reform in the Arab World: timely and flexible response to short-term reform opportunities are wedded to longer-term efforts at building and strengthening the next generation of democratic reformer [...] |
2007-09-18 09:20:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KMPI KDEM PGOV PREL XF EAID |
| 07TUNIS1264 | IDENTIFYING "CREDIBLE VOICES" IN MUSLIM COMMUNITIES [...] (S) SUMMARY. In general, it is GOT officials who speak out against religious extremism and terrorism on a regular and open basis. President Ben Ali, GOT ministers and La Presse (the official media outlet of the GOT) regularly issue statements warning against the threat of extremist ideologies [...] |
2007-09-18 11:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | KISL KPAO PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS1273 | MEPI LESSONS LEARNED 3: PUBLIC DIPLOMACY [...] (SBU) Summary: Since MEPI's launch in 2002, we have learned a great deal about public-diplomacy efforts towards reformers in the Arab world. Building trust and name recognition has required on-the-ground engagement by posts and the MEPI Regional Office. The primary challenges have been iden [...] |
2007-09-19 09:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KMPI KDEM XF PREL PGOV EAID |
| 07TUNIS1277 | TUNISIA: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BUSH TO PRESIDENT [...] (SBU) In a September 19 meeting with Minister of State and Presidential Advisor Ben Dhia on September 19, the Ambassador delivered the text of Ref A letter from President Bush to President Ben Ali. He also provided a copy of Ref B official French translation. Ben Dhia expressed appreciation f [...] |
2007-09-19 15:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OPDC TS |
| 07TUNIS1280 | MEPI LESSONS LEARNED 4: SMALL GRANTS - THE SECRET [...] (SBU) The MEPI Small Grants program is a highly effective tool for promoting democratic reform from the ground up in the Arab world. Small Grants allow us to respond quickly to opportunities as they emerge, have an immediate impact at the grassroots level, and link up with groups the USG often [...] |
2007-09-20 09:05:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KMPI KDEM XF PREL PGOV EAID |
| 07TUNIS1283 | 101 WAYS TO DENY AN NGO'S EXISTANCE [...] (C) What defines an NGO? Naturally, the answer to this question varies by country. But in Tunisia the essential question is not about affiliation, size, or whether an NGO is domestic or international; rather, the defining question is, "Are they registered?" Registration status determines t [...] |
2007-09-20 16:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1286 | TUNISIA: US BUSINESSES BRIEF ECONOMIC DELEGATION [...] (SBU) During the September 9-12 visit of an interagency business delegation (reftels), EEB PDAS Dibble met with representatives from a cross-section of US businesses currently operating in Tunisia to discuss the business climate in general and the issues that impede their operations. PDAS Di [...] |
2007-09-21 06:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD TS |
| 07TUNIS1293 | TUNISIA - DEMOCRATIC REFORM STRATEGY [...] (C) Even non-French-speaking observers of Tunisian politics use the phrase, "Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose" to describe the country in recent years. As we review our democratic reform strategy, despite some minor achievements, our two main objectives remain promoting increased free [...] |
2007-09-21 14:30:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS1294 | OPPOSITION PARTY TURNS TO HUNGER STRIKE TO PROTEST [...] (C) The opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) announced that as of September 20 PDP leaders began a hunger strike to protest what they deem a politically motivated eviction from their Tunis headquarters. During a September 18 meeting with the Ambassador, PDP Secretary General Maya J [...] |
2007-09-21 15:39:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1299 | TUNISIA'S TEXTILE SECTOR BOUNCES BACK [...] (U) After experiencing job loss and a drop in exports in recent years, the Tunisian textile sector appears to be back in good health. Faced with competition from cheaper, mass-produced Asian textiles, the Tunisian textile sector has regained market share in Europe and the value of exports has [...] |
2007-09-24 14:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD KTEX BEXP TS |
| 07TUNIS132 | AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL WITH MINISTER OF [...] (C) During a December 15 courtesy call on Minister of Justice and Human Rights Bechir Tekkari, Ambassador focused on Tunisia's record on political freedom and human rights, noting that these issues would be a key component of a broader strategic dialogue between the United States and Tunisia. [...] |
2007-01-30 07:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PGOV KMPI PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS1328 | TUNISIA CHARGES 29 WITH PLOTTING TO COMMIT [...] (C) Twenty-nine Tunisians have been charged by the GOT for involvement in the disrupted December 2006/January 2007 terrorist plot, according to a lawyer for the accused. Among the charges filed against the suspects were: attempting to unseat the government, attempting to commit terrorist acts [...] |
2007-09-28 14:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PTER PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS1329 | AMBASSADOR VISITS OPPOSITION HUNGER STRIKERS [...] (C) As they entered day nine of their hunger strike, opposition PDP Secretary General Maya Jribi and former PDP Secretary General Nejib Chebbi both appeared wan but in good SIPDIS spirits. Jribi and Chebbi started a hunger strike on September 20 to protest their landlord,s effort, almost [...] |
2007-09-28 16:19:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS133 | THE TEN GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON NGOS: TUNISIA'S [...] (SBU) In response to the recently released "Ten Guiding Principles on NGOs" (ref A), Post offers below an annotated version, with examples of the GOT's track record on each principle. We suggest that USG officials draw from these examples when discussing human rights issues with GOT interlocu [...] |
2007-01-30 09:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KMPI PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS1340 | COURT ORDERS OPPOSITION PARTY EVICTED FROM [...] (SBU) On October 1, a Tunisian court handed down a decision evicting the opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) from its party headquarters. The PDP's landlord began eviction proceedings in April (Ref A), saying the lease agreement had been violated. The eviction proceedings prompte [...] |
2007-10-02 16:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1345 | THE WAY AHEAD IN THE MAGHREB [...] (S) On Friday, September 14, we (Ambassadors Ford, Godec and Riley) met in Tunis to review developments in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, assess US policy, and chart a way ahead. While our three countries are different in important ways, they all face a difficult challenge from extremists and [...] |
2007-10-03 15:44:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL ECON KPAO KMPI PINS PTER SCUL XI |
| 07TUNIS1351 | (S/NF) TUNISIAN REGULATION OF EXPLOSIVE PRECURSORS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-10-04 16:07:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS1353 | DRL DEPUTY DIRECTOR PROMOTES HUMAN RIGHTS AND [...] (C) On October 3, visiting DRL/NESCA Deputy Director Kari Johnstone met with opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) hunger strikers Maya Jribi and Nejib Chebbi, the President of the governmental Higher Commission for Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties Moncer Rouissi, and members o [...] |
2007-10-05 14:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1355 | BEN ALI REPORTEDLY APPROVES DISCUSSIONS ON GOOD [...] (C) According to the Dutch Ambassador in Tunis, President Ben Ali has approved quiet discussions with the UNDP and Dutch Embassy on possible steps to increase political freedom and improve governance in Tunisia. The Dutch Ambassador, Rita Dulci Rahman, briefed Ambassador Godec and French Amba [...] |
2007-10-05 17:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM NL UN TS |
| 07TUNIS1358 | TUNISIAN ATTENDANCE AT G8-BMENA FORUM FOR THE [...] (U) On October 9, MFA Deputy Director for the Americas Moez Sinaoui told PolOff that Tunisia will most likely be represented at the G8-BMENA Forum for the Future Subministerial by Tunisian Ambassador to Germany Moncef Ben Abdallah. However, Sinaoui stressed no official decision had been taken [...] |
2007-10-09 12:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KMPI KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS1366 | RESPONSE TO IDENTIFYING ARAB JUDGE CANDIDATES FOR [...] No summary [...] |
2007-10-09 14:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | UNSC KJUS KCRM LE SY TS PREL |
| 07TUNIS137 | INFLUENTIAL WOMEN [...] In response to reftel, Post provides the names of five influential Tunisian women: Faiza Kefi President Cour des Comptes (General Accounting Office) 25 avenue de la Liberte 1002 Tunis Belvedere Phone: 216-71-831-060 Maya Jribi Secretary General SIPDIS Parti Democrate Progressiste ( [...] |
2007-01-30 15:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KWMN PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS1371 | TUNISIAN HUNGER STRIKE GATHERS SUPPORT AND [...] (C) During PolOff,s October 9 visit, opposition Progressive Democratic Party Secretary General Maya Jribi and former Secretary General Nejib Chebbi indicated that their hunger strike (which began on September 20) will continue at least until November 7, the 20th anniversary of Zine El Abidin [...] |
2007-10-10 16:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1378 | RECENT GOT PRESSURE ON TUNISIAN CIVIL SOCIETY [...] (C) Pressure on civil society activists seems to have increased in the weeks leading up to the 20th anniversary of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's November 7, 1987, assumption of the Presidency. Though generally targeted in one way or another, in recent weeks the President of the Tunisian Journal [...] |
2007-10-11 15:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS138 | AU CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-01-30 15:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KDEM PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS1380 | RESPONSE TO CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2008 SECRETARY'S [...] (SBU) Embassy Tunis is pleased to nominate Samia Abbou for the Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage. Secretary Rice remarked on International Women's Day that the day commemorates women, "who are the international defenders of what President Bush has called the non-negotiabl [...] |
2007-10-15 12:55:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KWMN PREL PHUM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS139 | GOT ASSURANCES ON TRANSFER OF GUANTANAMO DETAINEES [...] (S/NF) On January 30, Ambassador raised GOT assurances related to the transfer of Tunisian detainees at Guantanamo with MFA Secretary of State for the Americas and Asia Saida Chtioui. Ambassador thanked Chtioui for the MFA diplomatic note of January 11 and requested additional clarification r [...] |
2007-01-30 15:53:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PINR KAWC TS |
| 07TUNIS1399 | OPPOSITION HUNGER STRIKE: POSSIBLE SOLUTION IN [...] (C) The opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) held a press conference on October 19 to mark their hunger strike's first month. Though the conference had been planned for days, the topic du jour was two articles that appeared in the October 19 editions of the private (but GOT influenc [...] |
2007-10-19 15:50:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS140 | TUNISIA: INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2007 [...] Tunisia's 2007 Investment Climate Statement. Topics covered include: Paragraph -- Topic 2 -- Openness to Foreign Investment 16 -- Conversion and Transfer Policies 21 -- Expropriation and Compensation 22 -- Dispute Settlement 26 -- Performance Requirements and Incentives 33 -- Right to Priv [...] |
2007-01-30 16:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB OPIC USTR TS |
| 07TUNIS1404 | OPPOSITION HUNGER STRIKE ENDS FOLLOWING COMPROMISE [...] (C) Opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary General Maya Jribi and former Secretary General SIPDIS Nejib Chebbi on October 20 ended their month-long hunger strike, which had been undertaken to protest their party,s near simultaneous eviction from nine regional offices and i [...] |
2007-10-22 15:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS141 | TUNISIA: INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2007 [...] No summary [...] |
2007-01-30 16:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB OPIC USTR TS |
| 07TUNIS1419 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: CANDIDACY OF AVID WALKER FOR [...] No summary [...] |
2007-10-25 14:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AORC UN UNGA TS |
| 07TUNIS142 | REVISED TUNISIA SOFA NOTE [...] (C) On January 23, Ambassador discussed reftel's revised Status of Forces Agreement text with MFA Chief of Staff Hatem Atallah. Atallah, who led the bilateral interagency SOFA discussions in 2005 as MFA Director General for Asia and the Americas, said that he did not know who would be coordina [...] |
2007-01-31 07:47:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS MARR TS |
| 07TUNIS1422 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON WIREC 2008 [...] No summary [...] |
2007-10-25 15:20:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ENRG EAID SENV KSCA EPET TRGY KGHG TS |
| 07TUNIS1425 | FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEE SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS [...] (C) Former Tunisian Guantanamo detainee Lotfi Lagha appeared before the Tunis Court of First Instance on October 24 and was sentenced to three years in prison. Lagha,s attorney plans to file an appeal. During Lagha's trial, the judge questioned Lagha and then allowed Lagha's attorneys to p [...] |
2007-10-26 13:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KAWC PGOV PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS143 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: Dec. 16 - Jan. 15 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Tunisia and Libya Announce Reciprocal Exchange Convertibility B. ALTEK Opens Plant in Tunisia C. Gasoline Prices May Increase Three Times in 2007 D. Tunisia Repays External Debt [...] |
2007-01-31 09:21:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ENRG EPET BEXP ECPS EAID TS |
| 07TUNIS1433 | INVESTORS GIVE TUNISIA VOTE OF "NO CONFIDENCE" [...] (C) While Tunisia can boast about its impressive economic development and steady economic growth, paltry investment rates reveal that the economy faces significant challenges. Low levels of investment, particularly domestic, not only jeopardize continued economic success and efforts to reduce [...] |
2007-10-29 14:47:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | EINV EFIN ECON TS |
| 07TUNIS1435 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON DESIGNATIONS OF IRANIAN [...] No summary [...] |
2007-10-29 15:10:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KNNP IR PARM EFIN TS |
| 07TUNIS1436 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON ICAO MONTREAL CONVENTION [...] No summary [...] |
2007-10-29 15:11:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC EAIR ICAO KNNP OTRA KTIA PARM TS |
| 07TUNIS1439 | TUNISIA INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY [...] There is no discernible money laundering or terrorist finance activity occurring in Tunisia. Tunisia is not considered an important regional financial center due in large part to the very strict control exercised by the Central Bank over financial transactions, particularly those involving fo [...] |
2007-10-30 10:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN KCRM KTFN SNAR PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS1442 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON FATF STATEMENT AND GUIDANCE [...] On October 30, 2007, reftel points were transmitted to the Americas Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tunisian Financial Analysis Commission (Tunisia's FIU) and the Ministry of Finance. Any reactions, comments, or response received from the GOT will be reported septel. 2. In [...] |
2007-10-30 13:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM PREL MNUC ECON EFIN KTFN TS |
| 07TUNIS1443 | UNEMPLOYMENT IN TUNISIA: FOR WANT OF A JOB... [...] (C) Tunisia's official unemployment rate has hovered around 15 percent for almost forty years despite sustained GDP growth and continued GOT efforts to diversify the economy and promote investment that should spur new employment. Low domestic and international investment, as well as strict la [...] |
2007-10-30 13:04:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB ECON SMIG PTER KDEM PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS1448 | TUNISIAN TRIAL FOR FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEE [...] (C) Former Guantanamo detainee Abdallah Ben Omar (al-Hajji) appeared briefly before Military Tribunal in Tunis on October 31. Due to his attorneys' request for access to additional information regarding Ben Omar's previous in absentia conviction, the judge agreed to postpone the case until [...] |
2007-10-31 17:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KAWC PGOV PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS1450 | Beywatch: Fortunate Sons Dodging the Draft [...] (U) This report is one of a series drafted by Post's entry level officers which have the "Beywatch" title. We believe the perspectives offered in the following vignette will give the reader greater insight into Tunisia. It is not a comprehensive overview of the subject. 2. (SBU) The Gover [...] |
2007-11-01 14:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PMIL SOCI TS |
| 07TUNIS1452 | TRANSLATION OF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-02 08:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1454 | CIVIL SOCIETY EMBARKS ON ANOTHER HUNGER STRIKE [...] (C) On November 1, Poloffs spoke with journalist Slim Boukhdhir who announced that he and attorney Mohamed Nouri had begun an open-ended hunger strike to protest GOT travel restrictions. Among their examples: a judge recently upheld a decision that bars Nouri from traveling, Boukhdhir has be [...] |
2007-11-02 14:19:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1463 | EU SEEKS GREATER COOPERATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Summary. The Ambassador, acting head of the European Commission and key members of the two mission teams met in advance of the November 12 EU-Tunisian sub-committee meeting on human rights. The US and EU missions shared the view that Tunisia has made too little progress in recent years [...] |
2007-11-06 13:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1469 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-09 12:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD SENV EFIN BEXP ENRG TS |
| 07TUNIS1470 | 20 YEARS OF BEN ALI RULE: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING? [...] (C) After much preparation and speculation, President Ben Ali celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his November 7, 1987 palace coup with a major public speech that announced several political, judicial, economic and cultural initiatives, including supporting opposition political parties. I [...] |
2007-11-09 14:10:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS1478 | TRANSLATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-15 07:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1486 | HUNGER STRIKE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED [...] (C) Mohamed Nouri and Slim Boukhdhir announced during a November 14 press conference that they would temporarily suspend their strike while negotiations with ruling party representatives took place. They also told PolOff that their families have been harassed as a result of their campaign. [...] |
2007-11-15 17:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1488 | RESOURCE NATIONALISM IN TUNISIA [...] (C) Although the Government of Tunisia retains strong control over natural resources, the energy sector remains one of the largest sources of foreign investment in the country and the GOT actively encourages foreign investment in the sector. In 2006, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the ene [...] |
2007-11-16 15:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ENRG EINV PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS1489 | THE PNG'ING OF SUHA ARAFAT: MANY RUMORS, FEW FACTS [...] (C/NF) Summary: The GOT's decision last summer to revoke Suha Arafat's Tunisian citizenship, which had only been granted less than a year earlier, made international headlines. Since the appearance of the official register notice on August 7, the chattering class in Tunisia has not ceased to specul [...] |
2007-11-16 17:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV SOCI PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS1496 | SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF CODEL INOUYE [...] (U) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Senators Daniel Inouye and Theodore Stevens and accompanying members of CODEL Inouye to Tunis from November 25 - 26, 2007. Tunisia proudly -- and justifiably -- calls itself a "country that works." Despite Tunisia's relatively small economy and lack of natura [...] |
2007-11-21 06:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS1497 | SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF CODEL INOUYE [...] (U) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Senators Daniel Inouye and Theodore Stevens and accompanying members of CODEL Inouye to Tunis from November 25 - 26, 2007. Tunisia proudly -- and justifiably -- calls itself a "country that works." Despite Tunisia's relatively small economy and lack of natura [...] |
2007-11-21 06:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS1501 | OPPOSITION PSL PARTY TOES THE (RULING) PARTY LINE [...] (C) The Ambassador discussed Tunisia's political scene with opposition Social Liberal Party (PSL) Secretary General Mondher Thabet on November 5. Thabet expressed his support for President Ben Ali,s policies, called for increased bilateral economic cooperation and denounced the recent PDP h [...] |
2007-11-21 15:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1503 | EU PUTS TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES ON THE TABLE [...] (C) EU Charge de Mission Bernard Philippe told the Ambassador on November 15 that he was encouraged that the November 12 EU-Tunisian Sub-Committee on Human Rights had taken up several serious issues, including torture and the 2009 elections. Philippe noted, however, there were a few missed [...] |
2007-11-21 16:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1515 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON NEW DELHI CONFERENCE ON [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-23 14:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR KFLU EAID TBIO PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS1516 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO TUNISIA GRANTED FOR CODEL [...] Embassy Tunis grants country clearance and warmly welcomes Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Ted Stevens and accompanying members of CODEL Inouye to Tunisia from November 25-26, 2007. 2. Point of contact for the visit is Political Officer Susannah Cooper. Contact information for Ms. Cooper [...] |
2007-11-23 14:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | OREP AMGT ASEC TS JO |
| 07TUNIS1521 | MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM FOR A 2008 TIFA COUNCIL [...] (U) After a recent series of government and private business delegations that have traveled between Tunis and Washington, it is time for a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council in early 2008. In order to be most effective, we believe such a meeting should be held in Tunisia, [...] |
2007-11-27 11:39:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON BEXP TS |
| 07TUNIS1525 | HUNGER STRIKER ARRESTED [...] (C) Journalist Slim Boukhdhir, who recently engaged in a hunger strike to protest GOT travel restrictions (Ref A), was arrested on November 26 while traveling to Tunis from Sfax. According to local contacts, Boukhdhir is facing charges of verbally insulting a police officer, not presenting hi [...] |
2007-11-27 16:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1528 | TUNISIANS FRUSTRATED BY RISING PRICES [...] (C) Although inflation for the year is officially only 2.8 percent, Tunisians are complaining loudly about rising gas and food prices. Economists argue that official inflation fails to capture the real rise in the cost of living, which may be as high as 8 percent. Rising world oil and wheat [...] |
2007-11-28 11:47:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD TS |
| 07TUNIS153 | POLFSN'S SENTENCE SUSPENDED UNTIL SUPREME COURT [...] (SBU) On January 31, the GOT Attorney General approved the request for suspended implementation of the four-month prison sentence of PolFSN Jamil Halfaoui (reftels). This suspension means Halfaoui cannot be subject to arrest prior to the completion of the Supreme Court (Cour de Cassation) revi [...] |
2007-01-31 15:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KMPI ASEC TS |
| 07TUNIS1531 | JOURNALISTS OF TUNISIA (TRY TO) UNITE [...] (C) The unrecognized Tunisian Journalists Syndicate (SJT, reftel) claims that its efforts to join the umbrella General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) are being blocked by the GOT. In addition to discouraging the UGTT from working with the SJT, the GOT is purported to have manufactured the [...] |
2007-11-29 15:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1532 | CODEL INOUYE PROMOTES US-TUNISIAN TIES [...] (C) During their November 25-26 visit to Tunisia, Senators Daniel Inouye and Ted Stevens were warmly welcomed by Minister of National Defense Kamel Morjane and MFA Secretary of State Saida Chtioui. The GOT officials, who apologized President Ben Ali was unavailable to meet the Senators on a S [...] |
2007-11-29 15:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV OREP ECON PTER MASS TS |
| 07TUNIS154 | THE GOT AND THE TERRORIST THREAT: SHAKEN, NOT [...] (S/NF) In the weeks following its reported disruption of a terrorist plot to attack US and UK embassies and diplomats, the GOT remains unresponsive to repeated USG -- and Tunisian public -- requests for further details on the incident. While there are reports of "hundreds" arrested and security [...] |
2007-01-31 15:23:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PREL ASEC CASC TS |
| 07TUNIS1544 | FINDING PARALLELS BETWEEN BEN ALI AND CEAUSESCU [...] (S/NF) In a recent meeting with Ambassador, Romanian Ambassador to Tunisia Sorin-Mihail Tanasescu offered a starkly negative assessment of President Ben Ali, the GOT and Tunisia. Tanasescu suggested there are strong parallels between Tunisia today and Romania just before the fall of former P [...] |
2007-11-30 15:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL ECON KISL TS |
| 07TUNIS1545 | ABBAS STOPS IN TUNIS TO SEEK PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR [...] (C) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stopped in Tunis on November 29 and 30 to brief the GOT, Palestinian leaders and the diplomatic corps on the Annapolis conference and next steps for the peace process. According to Palestinian Ambassador Salman al-Harthy, Abbas came to Tunisia in order [...] |
2007-11-30 16:11:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL PGOV IS TS |
| 07TUNIS1548 | TUNISIAN ISLAMISTS CONCERNED BY EXTREMISM, SEEK [...] (C) During a November 19 meeting with PolOffs, former an-Nahdha leader Ziad Daoulatli said that the GOT has created a climate of fear that discourages Tunisians from political participation. The lack of freedom of expression and association, said Daoulatli, is increasingly driving Tunisians t [...] |
2007-12-03 14:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS1552 | GOT INFORMED OF IRAN NIE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-12-04 16:07:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PGOV KNNP MNUC PARM IR TS |
| 07TUNIS1555 | GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS: ATTORNEY GAINS RIGHT TO [...] (C) On December 4, a Tunisian court sentenced ex-hunger striker Slim Boukhdhir to a year in prison. Boukhdhir was initially arrested November 26 on charges of insulting a police officer, using foul language, and not presenting his national ID card to security officials (Ref B). Meanwhile, [...] |
2007-12-05 16:16:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1556 | EU OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE GOT COOPERATION [...] (S/NF) EU Charge de Mission Bernard Philippe told the Ambassador on December 4 that the November 19 Association Council meeting with Tunisia, which was preceded by the November 12 Sub-Committee Meeting on Human Rights, had given a "boost" to EU-Tunisian relations. Philippe said the two meetin [...] |
2007-12-05 16:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PHUM KDEM PGOV PTER ECON PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS1563 | TUNISIAN NGO COMBATTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN [...] In recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (reftel), the Ambassador and EmbOffs visited the National Union of Tunisian Woman's (UNFT) Tunis headquarters, women's shelter and counseling center on December 5. UNFT President Aziza Hatira and other UNFT [...] |
2007-12-07 11:38:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KWMN PREL KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1564 | TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICERS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-12-07 13:45:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS1566 | JOURNALISTS: TUNISIA'S MOST WANTED? [...] (C) From its actions, one might think Tunisia's governing regime regards independent journalists as threats to stability. In the past six months alone, journalists have been followed, harassed, assaulted, prosecuted, and jailed; all apparently for the "crime" of writing articles for online [...] |
2007-12-07 16:35:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1567 | TUNISIAN INTELLECTUALS DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) To mark International Human Rights Day on December 10, the Ambassador discussed global and local human rights issues with a group of independent Tunisian intellectuals on December 6. Though the discussion began with local concerns about the rights of Guantanamo detainees and the situatio [...] |
2007-12-07 16:36:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1568 | TUNISIA: WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR INFORMATION [...] No summary [...] |
2007-12-07 16:39:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI TS |
| 07TUNIS1575 | TELLING IT LIKE IT IS: TUNISIAN JOURNALISTS [...] (C) On December 10, Matt Shelley, Director of the MEPI-funded International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) Middle East North Africa (MENA) Media Project, held a roundtable discussion with Tunisian journalists on the local media environment and IREX activities in the region. Several jou [...] |
2007-12-13 12:48:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS1576 | FOREIGN MINISTER TO ATTEND PARIS DONORS CONFERENCE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-12-13 16:02:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL AMGT KWBG KPAL IS |
| 07TUNIS1579 | TERRORISM FINANCE: DOMESTIC DESIGNATION OF IRAQI [...] No summary [...] |
2007-12-17 08:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER IZ TS |
| 07TUNIS1581 | GOT INTERESTED IN ASSISTANCE WITH SERVICES AND FRANCHISING [...] (SBU) During a December 10 meeting, Ministry of Commerce Director of Domestic Trade Mohamed Laouini told EmbOffs that the GOT has drafted a revised services law. The legislation will also address the regulation of franchises, which are currently limited in Tunisia. Laouini shared the draft l [...] |
2007-12-17 12:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON TS |
| 07TUNIS1597 | SOUTHERN TUNISIA'S ENCOMIUM TO BEN ALI [...] (C) During a December 10-13 trip to the southern cities of Djerba, Medenine, Zarzis and Tataouine, with a stop in Sfax, Ambassador Godec met with a wide-range of government officials, community leaders, and private business people, who were generally effusive in their praise of President Ben A [...] |
2007-12-21 14:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD TS |
| 07TUNIS1598 | NEW MINISTER OF COMMERCE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT [...] (SBU) During the Ambassador's December 18 courtesy call, newly appointed Minister of Commerce Ridha Touiti said that Tunisia is well prepared for the full implementation of the European Union (EU) Association Agreement on January 1, 2008. Touiti was very enthusiastic about both the upcoming [...] |
2007-12-21 14:38:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ECON PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS1599 | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH [...] (C) On December 18, the Ambassador met with Mongi Khamassi, Secretary General of the Green Party for Progress (PVP) to discuss the Tunisian political landscape and US foreign policy. The smallest of the "loyal" opposition parties, the PVP emphasized the need for gradual political progress a [...] |
2007-12-21 14:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS16 | ANOTHER SHOOTOUT SOUTH OF TUNIS AMID SPECULATION [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: ON THE HEELS OF THE DECEMBER 23 SHOOT-OUT REPORTED BY THE TUNISIAN MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR (REF A), THE MOI ANNOUNCED TODAY A SECOND SECURITY OPERATION IN A SOUTHERN SUBURB OF TUNIS IN WHICH SECURITY FORCES REPORTEDLY SHOT AND KILLED ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF AN ARMED GROUP. THE [...] |
2007-01-03 18:55:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL EU TS |
| 07TUNIS1616 | MGPKO2: TUNISIA "FIRMLY CONDEMNS" BHUTTO [...] (SBU) Summary. Official and private Tunisians were quick to denounce the December 27 assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. On December 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "firmly condemned" the assassination and reasserted Tunisia's rejection of all forms of terrori [...] |
2007-12-28 12:16:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PTER PK TS |
| 07TUNIS1620 | 30 CONVICTED OF INVOLVEMENT IN DEC 2006/JAN 2007 [...] (C) On December 30, the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced 30 Tunisians to punishments from death to five years in prison for their involvement in the December 2006/January 2007 terrorist incidents. Many of the defendants, known as the "Soliman Group," denied their involvement and allege [...] |
2007-12-31 16:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS169 | TUNISIA TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR IRAQI OFFICIALS [...] (C) On January 30, during a meeting with MFA Secretary of State Saida Chtioui, Ambassador stressed USG hope that Tunisia would find ways to contribute to efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan. Chtioui told Ambassador that Iraqi officials would be coming to Tunisia for two training programs i [...] |
2007-02-02 16:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SENV AF IZ JA TS |
| 07TUNIS17 | TUNISIAN REACTION TO SADDAM EXECUTION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The GOT Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement on December 30 expressing its "deep regret" that Saddam Hussein was executed on the first day of Eid al-Idha. This sentiment was echoed in private conversations; Tunisian contacts who passed the Eid holiday watch [...] |
2007-01-03 18:57:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV IR TS |
| 07TUNIS180 | ARAB INTERIOR MINISTERS DISCUSS CT COOPERATION [...] (U) SUMMARY: The January 30-31 Arab League Interior Ministers meeting in Tunis was focused on counter-terrorism cooperation. Voicing support for Lebanon and Iraq, the Council of Arab Interior Ministers also discussed narcotics trafficking, civil protection and road safety. President Ben Ali' [...] |
2007-02-05 15:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PGOV IZ SY SU TS |
| 07TUNIS192 | MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANES AND TRAINS AND MARITIME [...] (C/NF) During Ambassador's January 29 courtesy call on Abderrahim Zouari, Minister of Transport, discussion ranged from modernization of Tunisia's transportation infrastructure to the Minister's desire for a stronger relationship with US counterparts. The Minister expressed GOT interest in Op [...] |
2007-02-07 13:10:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ETRD EAIR ELTN EWWT ECON TS |
| 07TUNIS193 | UPDATE ON PROPOSED DETAINEE TRANSFER [...] (S/NF) Post provides an update on latest efforts to obtain necessary assurances related to the proposed transfer of Tunisian detainees at Guantanamo Bay. As instructed in Ref B, Post has repeatedly engaged the GOT in an attempt to obtain confirmation of assurances related to the transfer of T [...] |
2007-02-08 07:59:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER KAWC PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS196 | FOREIGN MISSIONS CONCERNED OVER GOT SILENCE ON [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY. Following January's report by the GOT that it had disrupted a terrorist plot to attack US and UK embassies and diplomats (reftels), security and consular representatives from several Tunis-based embassies and international organizations met on February 7 to discuss the security [...] |
2007-02-08 14:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PREL ASEC CASC TS |
| 07TUNIS203 | IRAQI AMBASSADOR REQUESTS US ASSISTANCE WITH MFA [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see para 6. 2. (C) SUMMARY: During a February 8 meeting with Ambassador, Iraqi Ambassador Ghazi Tahar Khaled expressed his frustration with Tunisian bureaucracy and the GOT's (and other Arab governments') refusal to follow through on their statements of [...] |
2007-02-09 10:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IZ TS |
| 07TUNIS205 | MFA STATEMENT ON AL AQSA EXCAVATIONS [...] (SBU) In keeping with Tunisia's moderate position on Israeli-Palestinian issues, on February 8 the MFA issued a statement, announced by the Tunisia Africa Press Agency (TAP), expressing its "concern" about Israeli excavations around the al-Aqsa Mosque. 2. (U) STATEMENT TEXT (OFFICIAL TAP T [...] |
2007-02-09 13:50:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KPAL TS |
| 07TUNIS208 | MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE PRESENTS WISH LIST FOR [...] (U) Summary: During the Ambassador's February 8 courtesy call, Minister of Agriculture Habib Haddad presented a list of possible projects for future collaboration with US universities. Haddad stated that liberalization of cereal imports is being studied and also asserted that the agricultural [...] |
2007-02-12 16:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ETRD BEXP KFLU OEXC TS |
| 07TUNIS212 | TUNISIAN HEALTH MINISTER: HIV/AIDS, AVIAN FLU, IPR [...] (C) During Ambassador's courtesy call on Ridha Kechrid, Minister of Public Health (MOH), topics ranging from avian influenza and HIV/AIDS to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) were discussed. The discussion was amicable, with Kechrid addressing each issue thoroughly and with seeming candor. [...] |
2007-02-13 08:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD KFLU KHIV KIPR TS |
| 07TUNIS225 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. GOT Promotes Solar Energy B. Maghreb Ministers of Commerce Discuss FTA C. GOT To Tax Offshore Companies D. 6.5 Million Tourists in 2006 ------------------------- GOT Promotes Sol [...] |
2007-02-14 07:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD SENV EFIN BEXP ENRG TS |
| 07TUNIS226 | Beywatch: YOUNG TUNISIAN MEN ASK: "IS THE MARRIAGE VISA [...] INTRODUCTION: This report is one of a series drafted by Post's entry level officers which have the "Beywatch" caption. We believe the perspectives offered in the following vignette will give the reader a sense of everyday life in Tunisia. END INTRODUCTION. 2. SUMMARY: This cable is a look [...] |
2007-02-14 08:05:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KFRD SOCI CVIS TS |
| 07TUNIS229 | TUNISIAN NOMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF [...] No summary [...] |
2007-02-14 15:20:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KWMN PREL KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS230 | FOREIGN MINISTER CONCERNED BY HUGHES CANCELLATION [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: On February 13, Foreign Minister Abdallah convoked Ambassador to express his concern about the cancellation of a planned visit to Tunisia by Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes. Abdallah referred to an internal "report" prepared by MFA Secretary of State Chtioui t [...] |
2007-02-14 16:14:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS233 | MFA SUPPORTS VISIT OF IRAQI FM ZEBARI [...] (C) During a February 13 meeting with MFA Chief of Staff Hatem Atallah, Ambassador encouraged the GOT to welcome a visit by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari (Reftels). Atallah said that although the timing of Zebari's proposed visit in December had not worked, the GOT welcomed a visit fro [...] |
2007-02-15 13:53:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IZ TS |
| 07TUNIS236 | AMBASSADOR PUSHES GOT FOR DETAINEE ASSURANCES [...] (S/NF) During a February 13 meeting on other topics, Ambassador pressed Foreign Minister Abdallah for confirmation of GOT assurances regarding the proposed transfer of Tunisian detainees at Guantanamo Bay (Ref D). Abdallah noted the request. 2. (S/NF) Ambassador later continued the convers [...] |
2007-02-15 14:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PINR KAWC TS |
| 07TUNIS246 | UNION LEADER HIGHLIGHTS SHARED VALUES, DISILLUSION [...] (C) SUMMARY. During Ambassador's February 16 courtesy call, General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) Secretary General Abdessalem Jerad stressed the shared values between Tunisia and the United States. Jerad explained that the UGTT membership is representative of all political, economic and s [...] |
2007-02-22 07:19:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PHUM KDEM ECON TS |
| 07TUNIS248 | TUNISIAN-LIBYAN COOPERATION ON TRACK [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In the 20th meeting of the Libyan-Tunisian High Commission, held in Tripoli on February 18, Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi and Libyan Secretary of the General People's Committee Mahmoudi Baghdadi signed three agreements aimed at improving cooperation between the two [...] |
2007-02-22 10:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECIN ETRD ELAB TS LY |
| 07TUNIS257 | ICRC DIRECTOR SHARES CONCERNS ABOUT GOT TREATMENT [...] (S/NF) During a February 22 meeting, ICRC Regional Director Bernard Pfefferle (strictly protect) told Ambassador that the GOT has not granted ICRC access to Ministry of Interior detention facilities in Tunisia, in contravention of the 2005 GOT-ICRC agreement. Pfefferle characterized MOI treat [...] |
2007-02-23 15:04:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PHUM PREL KAWC PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS259 | MFA DIPNOTE ON DETAINEES: SAME ASSURANCES, POC [...] (S/NF) On February 26, Post received a MFA diplomatic note responding to Embassy's note of February 5 requesting specific assurances regarding the proposed transfer of Tunisian detainees at Guantanamo Bay and information regarding detainee Lotfi Bin Swei Lagha. The MFA reiterated the position [...] |
2007-02-26 11:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER KAWC PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS263 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS: Feb. 1 - Feb. 15 [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. AMU Considers Creation of Maghreb Debit Card B. GOT to Hire 12,000 Employees C. Avian Influenza: Tunisia Suspends Poultry Imports From Affected Countries -------------------------- [...] |
2007-02-26 15:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EAGR EFIN KFLU ELAB TS |
| 07TUNIS271 | TUNISIA: 2007 SPECIAL 301 REVIEW: EMBASSY INPUT [...] (SBU) Post recommends that Tunisia not be included on the 2007 Special 301 Watch List In 2006 and early 2007, Post has noted a marked change in attitude towards the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) among GOT officials, legal experts, local artisans, and business people. IPR i [...] |
2007-02-27 14:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD KIPR ECON TS |
| 07TUNIS272 | CONGRESSIONAL STAFF VISIT: GOT HONES ITS MESSAGE [...] (C) Increasingly focused on its public face, the GOT has begun to advertise its success story for US policy- and opinion-makers through familiarization visits. The GOT is also targeting its message to attract foreign assistance dollars. During a February 19-25 visit of a group of ten Congres [...] |
2007-02-27 14:50:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS ECON ETRD TS |
| 07TUNIS28 | BEN ALI'S MEDICAL AILMENTS REQUIRE BI-WEEKLY [...] (S/NF) According to the German Ambassador Peter Schmidt, Tunisian President Ben Ali is suffering from multiple medical ailments, for which he is treated by a German doctor every two weeks. Amb. Schmidt said that Ben Ali's medical conditions include arthritis, insomnia, and psychological issue [...] |
2007-01-04 16:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PGOV PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS287 | 2007 TIP REPORT INPUT [...] (U) The information below is provided in response to reftel. Post POC for TIP related issues is Susannah Cooper, (Tel.) 216-71-107-306, (Fax) 216-71-107-090. Number of hours spent by rank: 6 hrs FEMC, 50 hrs FS-02. --------------------------- TUNISIA: THE SOCIAL CONTEXT ------------------- [...] |
2007-03-05 08:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM KWMN ELAB SMIG KFRD PREF TS |
| 07TUNIS29 | AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL WITH MINISTER OF DEFENSE [...] (C) SUMMARY: During Ambassador's December 15 courtesy call on Minister of National Defense Kamel Morjane, Morjane highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Tunisia and the United States. Morjane noted the impact of the Arab-Israeli conflict on US goals in the region, but stressed tha [...] |
2007-01-04 16:55:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | MARR PGOV PREL PINR KPAL TS |
| 07TUNIS291 | NEW LABOR UNION STYMIED [...] (C) SUMMARY. A YEAR-LONG EFFORT TO CREATE A NEW LABOR CONFEDERATION APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN BLOCKED BY THE GOT AND HAS GARNERED LITTLE SUPPORT FROM TUNISIAN CIVIL SOCIETY. IN MID-2006, FORMER GENERAL UNION OF TUNISIAN WORKERS (UGTT) ACTIVIST HABIB GUIZA BEGAN WORK TO ESTABLISH THE GENERAL TUNISI [...] |
2007-03-05 11:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB KDEM PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS296 | Beywatch: Can Tunisia Cut Its Way Into the Medical Tourism [...] INTRODUCTION: This report is one of a series drafted by Post's entry level officers which have the "Beywatch" caption. We believe the perspectives offered in the following vignette will give the reader greater insight into Tunisia. END INTRODUCTION. 2. SUMMARY: From Budapest to Bangkok, We [...] |
2007-03-06 14:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON EINV SOCI TS |
| 07TUNIS306 | MOI POC ON DETAINEES OFFERS NO ASSURANCES [...] (C/NF) On March 6, PolOff met with Ministry of Interior (MOI) Director of International Cooperation Tahar Fellous Refai to discuss the proposed transfer of Tunisian detainees at Guantanamo. Fellous was identified by the MFA (Ref A) as the GOT logistical point of contact on the proposed transfe [...] |
2007-03-07 13:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER KAWC PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS31 | TUNISIAN SECURITY OPERATIONS: DETAILS BEGIN TO [...] (S/NF) Summary: According to local police contacts, the January 3 security operation that took place about 35 km southeast of Tunis (Reftel) resulted in the deaths of 12 perpetrators and the arrest of at least 25. The armed group, which was described as being comprised of Salafists and led [...] |
2007-01-04 17:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS313 | Beywatch: Can Tunisia Cut Its Way Into the Medical Tourism [...] INTRODUCTION: This report is one of a series drafted by Post's entry level officers which have the "Beywatch" caption. We believe the perspectives offered in the following vignette will give the reader greater insight into Tunisia. END INTRODUCTION. 2. SUMMARY: From Budapest to Bangkok, We [...] |
2007-03-07 15:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON EINV SOCI TS |
| 07TUNIS324 | G-8 AMBASSADORS TO SEEK JOINT MEETING WITH GOT [...] (C) Summary: The G-8 Ambassadors in Tunis have agreed to seek meetings with the GOT Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Interior to raise Tunisia's continuing lack of cooperation on counter-terrorism. Other subjects for discussion will include energy security and African development. A fin [...] |
2007-03-09 10:17:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV ENRG EAID XF TS |
| 07TUNIS328 | TUNISIA AND IRAQ DEBT RELIEF: NO OFFICIAL DEBT? [...] (SBU) Per refs A and B, Post transmitted points and diplomatic note to the MFA November 13, 2006. The GOT has not responded to this or several repeated follow-up requests for information about any Iraqi debt to the GOT and/or prospects for debt forgiveness. During a March 8 courtesy call on [...] |
2007-03-09 16:05:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN IZ TS |
| 07TUNIS329 | COMMERCE MINISTER: LET'S TALK SPECIFICS [...] (SBU) Summary: On March 7 the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Minister of Commerce and Handicrafts (MOC) Mondher Zenaidi. The Ambassador commended the Minister for the progress made in the campaign against counterfeit products and raised several specific issues that discourage greater US [...] |
2007-03-09 16:28:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ECON TS |
| 07TUNIS330 | TUNISIAN COURT BANS TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE [...] (C) On February 17, a Tunis court delivered a long-pending verdict in a case against the Tunisian Human Rights League, barring the organization from holding its national congress. While pro-GOT plaintiffs in the case hope that the ruling will force LTDH leadership to concede and allow pro-GOT [...] |
2007-03-12 07:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS357 | TUNISIAN JOURNALIST GIVEN PRISON SENTENCE [...] (C) Summary: Opposition journalist Mohamed Fourati was sentenced on March 9 to one year and two months in prison on charges of membership in an unauthorized organization. Fourati is currently working in Qatar, and had complained that his wife and child were denied passports to join him. Howev [...] |
2007-03-16 15:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO KMPI TS |
| 07TUNIS365 | FOR MINISTER OF TOURISM, TOURISM MORE THAN JUST [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During Ambassador's March 16 courtesy call, Minister of Tourism Tijani Haddad expressed great enthusiasm for increasing American tourism to Tunisia and made an impassioned plea for increasing the level of cultural cooperation and exchanges between our two countries. Ambassador n [...] |
2007-03-22 17:36:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD OEXC EAIR KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS380 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL AND [...] No summary [...] |
2007-03-26 15:02:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KWBG TS |
| 07TUNIS381 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT [...] No summary [...] |
2007-03-26 15:29:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS389 | TUNISIA AND FREEDOM: I HAVE A DREAM -- DEFERRED [...] (S) Fifty years after independence, Tunisia's freedom deficit is impeding its political, economic and social modernization. For years, Tunisia was a model for Arab and African countries. Tunisians took pride in having established many of the political institutions of a modern democracy and s [...] |
2007-03-28 14:40:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS404 | NO POLITICAL PRISONER RELEASE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY [...] (C) Traditionally, President Ben Ali has announced the release of prisoners around two holidays: March 20, Tunisian Independence Day; and November 7, the holiday commemorating the palace coup that brought Ben Ali to power in 1987. These releases have in past years included members of the Isla [...] |
2007-03-30 13:54:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS408 | DESIGNATION OF IRAN'S DEFENSE INDUSTRIES [...] No summary [...] |
2007-04-02 14:38:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KNNP PARM KN IR TS |
| 07TUNIS409 | TUNISIA AND FREEDOM: EYES ON THE PRIZE (PART II) [...] (S/NF) Tunisia is ready for freedom. But Tunisia today is also a country at risk, near a key crossroads. As reftel described in detail, Tunisia could go either way -- further down the road of repression, lack of freedom, and greater instability and extremism; or it could begin to embrace -- [...] |
2007-04-02 16:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS42 | AMBASSADOR BRIEFS FOREIGN MINISTER ON DETAINEE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-01-05 15:22:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR KAWC PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS44 | FOREIGN MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR SALAFISTS WERE [...] (S) SUMMARY: On January 5, Foreign Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah briefed Ambassador on the recent security situation in Tunisia (reftels). Abdallah said the group of very well trained "Salafists" involved in recent incidents with GOT security officials were targeting US and UK (and possibly Fr [...] |
2007-01-05 17:23:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PTER ASEC PGOV PREL CASC TS |
| 07TUNIS45 | AMBASSADOR BRIEFS UK/FRENCH AMBASSADORS ON THREAT [...] (S) On January 5, Ambassador briefed British Ambassador Alan Goulty on the information Foreign Minister Abdallah had shared regarding the threat to US and UK interests in Tunisia (septel). Goulty said that his mission had been seeking further details on the recent security incidents from GOT [...] |
2007-01-05 17:23:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PTER ASEC CASC PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS453 | MINISTER OF INDUSTRY SEEKS INCREASED US INVESTMENT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During Ambassador's April 10 courtesy call, Minister of Industry, Energy, and Small and Medium Enterprise Afif Chelbi focused on the potential opportunities for US investment and expressed his readiness to meet with US investors. Chelbi also highlighted the broader economic cha [...] |
2007-04-12 07:40:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV EIND ENRG EPET ETRD EAIR TS |
| 07TUNIS461 | PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR OFFERS GUANTANAMO DETAINEE [...] (S) SUMMARY. During an April 12 meeting with Ambassador, Minister of State, Special Advisor to the President Abdelaziz Ben Dhia offered the most extensive and comprehensive assurances we have received to date on the repatriation of Tunisian detainees at Guantanamo Bay. These assurances includ [...] |
2007-04-13 08:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER KAWC PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS47 | SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF DAS CARPENTER [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION: Embassy Tunis is very pleased to welcome your visit on January 10-12, 2007. The Tunisian security services' December 23 and January 3 operations against a reported group of armed Salafists form the immediate backdrop to your visit. Although much about the gr [...] |
2007-01-05 18:06:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PGOV OVIP KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS471 | EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM REQUEST [...] Embassy Tunis requests an Embassy Science Fellow from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the field of engineering. The Science Fellow would identify potential partnerships between Tunisian and US educational and research institutions and participate in Embassy public outreach activities [...] |
2007-04-17 07:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | TSPL SENV KSCA KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS493 | OPPOSITION PARTY LEADERS THREATEN HUNGER STRIKE [...] (C) SUMMARY: DURING AN APRIL 17 PRESS CONFERENCE, PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) LEADERS ACCUSED THE GOT OF ATTEMPTING TO FORCE THE PARTY OUT OF ITS TUNIS HEADQUARTERS. DAYS EARLIER, PDP RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE BUILDING'S LANDLORD TELLING THEM THAT USING THE BUILDING FOR POLITICAL PARTY [...] |
2007-04-19 15:08:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO KMPI TS |
| 07TUNIS516 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. IMF Urges Further Reform B. Qatar Telecom Invests In Tunisia C. Consumer Price Index Continues To Rise D. Trade Deficit Grows, Industrial Production Up E. GOT Sells Stake in Banque [...] |
2007-04-24 15:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV EFIN ECPS EIND KTEX KPRV TS |
| 07TUNIS52 | DEFENDING THE DEFENDERS INITIATIVES PRESENTED TO [...] (SBU) In a meeting with MFA Director General Hatem Atallah on December 28, Charge presented new USG initiatives to support human rights defenders (refs A and B). Atallah replied that the MFA would read over the new initiatives carefully. He acknowledged that the USG and Tunisia had different [...] |
2007-01-08 17:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KDEM PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS522 | TWO BOLD POLITICAL ARTICLES IN MAINSTREAM PRESS: [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN A RECENT ONE-WEEK PERIOD, TWO ARTICLES FEATURING BOLD POLITICAL COMMENTARY APPEARED IN MAINSTREAM TUNISIAN FRENCH-LANGUAGE PRESS. THE ARTICLES, INTERVIEWS WITH OPPOSITION POLITICIANS, CONSTITUTED SOME OF THE MOST FRANK, OPEN DISCUSSION OF POLITICALLY SENSITIVE THEMES IN RECENT [...] |
2007-04-25 15:23:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KPAO KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS53 | PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR SAYS SALAFIST THREAT IN [...] (S) Summary: Minister of State and Special Presidential Advisor Ben Dhia today told the Ambassador with "quasi certitude" that the Tunisian security services had finished their operations against the armed Salafist group (reftels), which had been planning to target the US and British embassie [...] |
2007-01-08 18:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS54 | COURTESY CALL ON MINISTER OF INTERIOR REVEALS FEW [...] (S) In a January 9 courtesy call, Minister of Interior and Local Development Rafik Belhaj Kacem revealed few new details about the recent Salafist threat in Tunisia (reftels). After initial introductions, the Ambassador broached the subject of the recent threat, underscoring the USG's concern [...] |
2007-01-09 17:36:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS545 | OPPOSITION PDP PARTY LEADERS: TUNISIANS DESERVE [...] (C) SUMMARY: LEADERS OF THE INDEPENDENT OPPOSITION PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) LAMENTED THE COMPLETE POLITICAL "BLOCKAGE" IN TUNISIA IN A MEETING WITH THE AMBASSADOR ON APRIL 26. PDP LEADERS, SAID THAT A MOVE TO ATTRACT NEW MEMBERS AND RAISE ITS PROFILE DOMESTICALLY HAS BEEN MET WITH [...] |
2007-05-02 14:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM TS |
| 07TUNIS573 | VCJCS MAY 5 MEETING WITH FM ABDALLAH [...] (C) SUMMARY. DURING HIS MAY 4-6 VISIT TO TUNISIA, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF ADMIRAL EDMUND GIAMBASTIANI MET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER ABDELWAHEB ABDALLAH ON MAY 5 TO DISCUSS BILATERAL MILITARY AND COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION. ABDALLAH SAID THAT, THANKS TO WISE POLITICAL, ECONOMI [...] |
2007-05-09 10:40:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MASS MOPS PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS574 | VCJCS MAY 5 MEETING WITH DEFMIN MORJANE [...] (C) SUMMARY. DURING HIS MAY 4-6 VISIT TO TUNISIA, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF ADMIRAL EDMUND GIAMBASTIANI MET WITH MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE KAMEL MORJANE ON MAY 5 TO DISCUSS BILATERAL MILITARY COOPERATION. WHILE NOTING THE POSITIVE BILATERAL MILITARY RELATIONSHIP, MORJANE SA [...] |
2007-05-09 10:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MASS MOPS PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS59 | MAKING SENSE OF THE RECENT THREAT IN TUNISIA [...] (S) SUMMARY: In the absence of credible, publicly available information, the rumor mills will continue to crank out speculative blather about the true nature of recent security threats. While person-on-the-street reactions will be reported septel, this cable will summarize what we have learn [...] |
2007-01-10 15:11:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS590 | UNHRC: TUNISIAN SUPPORT FOR BELARUS CANNOT BE [...] (SBU) Deputy Chief of Mission on May 10 delivered Ref A demarche to MFA Americas Director Holla Bachtobji, who served at the Tunisian Mission in Geneva prior to taking up her current position, and at the GOT's UN Mission in New York prior to that. Embassy has also double-tracked the demarche, [...] |
2007-05-11 18:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL UNHRC TS |
| 07TUNIS591 | SFAX FACTS: TUNISIA'S BUSINESS CAPITAL WANTS [...] Ambassador conducted a familiarization tour of the southern governorate, and second largest city, Sfax from April 4-8. The visit included economic/commercial, public affairs, and humanitarian components. Interlocutors at every stop pressed for increased collaboration and assistance from the [...] |
2007-05-11 18:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON ETRD KPAO SCUL TS |
| 07TUNIS595 | RHETORIC VS. REALITY IN TUNISIA ON WORLD PRESS [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN A SPEECH COMMEMORATING WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY MAY 2, PRESIDENT ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI TRUMPETED TUNISIA'S RECORD ON PRESS FREEDOM, "AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS." ON MAY 1, NGO FREEDOM HOUSE RELEASED ITS OWN ASSESSMENT OF TUNISIA'S PRESS FREEDOM RECORD, AS PART OF T [...] |
2007-05-15 07:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KPAO PREL KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS605 | BLUE LANTERN CHECK: TUNISIAN MOD LICENSES [...] THIS MESSAGE CONTAINS AN ACTION REQUEST. PLEASE SEE PARA 4. 2. As instructed in reftel, on May 15 PolMilOff conducted a post-shipment end-use check on applications 05-998131 and 05-991008 for the export of F-5 aircraft spares to the Tunisian Ministry of National Defense (MND). PolMilOff met [...] |
2007-05-16 10:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KOMC MARR TS |
| 07TUNIS615 | SCENESETTER FOR 22ND US-TUNISIA JOINT MILITARY [...] (C) The Embassy welcomes the visit of DASD Whelan and other USG officials for the 22nd US-Tunisia Joint Military Commission (JMC). The Government of Tunisia (GOT) will see your visit and the JMC as an indication of the solid relationship it has with the United States; a relationship it consid [...] |
2007-05-17 13:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | OTRA PREL MARR TS |
| 07TUNIS619 | FMF IS KEY TO TUNISIA'S COUNTERTERRORISM SUCCESS [...] (SBU) I noted with disappointment that the State Department,s Fiscal Year 2008 budget proposal to Congress included only $2.064 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Tunisia. This figure is significantly lower than the Embassy Tunis Country Team request of $30 million in FMF for FY- [...] |
2007-05-18 12:54:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MASS PTER MARR PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS621 | PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR BEN DHIA RESPONSE TO DEPUTY [...] (S/NF) Summary: Foreign Ministry Chief of Staff Hatem Atallah today provided Ambassador with a letter from Presidential Advisor Ben Dhia to the Deputy Secretary, in which Ben Dhia reiterates the GOT's willingness accept the three Tunisian detainees currently held at Guantanamo (reftels). The [...] |
2007-05-18 15:50:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER KAWC PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS648 | SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF CODEL TANNER [...] (U) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Representative John Tanner and accompanying members of CODEL Tanner to Tunis from May 30 - June 1, 2007. Tunisian government officials may wish to discuss the latest political, economic and security issues relevant to the US-Tunisian bilateral relationship, as [...] |
2007-05-24 12:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS65 | TUNISIA RESPONSE ON TRANSFER OF GUANTANAMO [...] (C) Post delivered reftel dipnote regarding the transfer of Tunisian detainees currently at Guantanamo to the MFA on January 5. Post received the following response on January 11 (informal translation): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United St [...] |
2007-01-12 07:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PINR KAWC PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS67 | TERROR THREAT IN TUNISIA: WHAT HAPPENED, WHY AND [...] (S) Over a two-week period in late 2006 and early 2007, the Government of Tunisia conducted operations against a significant terrorist group, killing 12 and arresting 15. At least two GOT security personnel were killed and three wounded in the operations. The "Salafi" terror group, accordin [...] |
2007-01-12 10:36:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS698 | CODEL TANNER MEETINGS FOCUS ON COUNTERTERRORISM, [...] No summary [...] |
2007-06-05 12:07:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER MASS OREP TS |
| 07TUNIS699 | BEN ALI TOUR D'HORIZON WITH CODEL TANNER [...] (C) In a meeting May 31 with Congressman John Tanner (D-TN) and nine other Representatives, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali emphasized his commitment to close ties with the United States. He also: -- asked for more US economic engagement; -- insisted the ruling political party is too str [...] |
2007-06-05 12:11:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS70 | TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT SHARES SOME FURTHER [...] (S/NF) The GOT on January 12 passed to SIMO the names of US Embassy officers found on a piece of paper at one of the sites used by "Salafist" terror suspects (reftels). SIMO is reporting this information through other channels. 2. (S) While Post is pleased that the GOT has finally come for [...] |
2007-01-12 18:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER TS |
| 07TUNIS708 | US NGO REPORTS GOT HARASSMENT OF SAMIA ABBOU, [...] (C) GOT measures to limit civil society's activities seem to apply to international and local activists alike. Representatives of the American NGO Human Rights First and the international NGO Frontline Defenders met with Pol/Econ Chief and PolOff on May 23 to discuss their joint trip to Tuni [...] |
2007-06-06 12:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM KPAO PREL KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS710 | CODEL TANNER MEETINGS FOCUS ON COUNTERTERRORISM, [...] (C) During their May 30 to June 1 visit to Tunisia, the ten members of CODEL Tanner were warmly welcomed by GOT officials who stressed the history of positive bilateral relations between the United States and Tunisia. Highlighting that Tunisia is a loyal friend, FM Abdallah and Defense Ministe [...] |
2007-06-06 12:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER MASS OREP TS |
| 07TUNIS722 | SCENESETTER FOR FOREIGN MINISTER ABDALLAH'S VISIT [...] (C) FOREIGN MINISTER ABDELWAHEB ABDALLAH'S UPCOMING JUNE 11-15 VISIT TO WASHINGTON PRESENTS A RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE USG TO ENGAGE THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE GOT, AS OFFICIAL VISITS TO WASHINGTON ARE INFREQUENT. WHILE ABDALLAH WILL LIKELY TRY TO EMPHASIZE GENERALITIES ABOUT THE US-TUNISIAN L [...] |
2007-06-07 14:36:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER MASS KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS753 | TUNISIA: TOUR D'HORIZON WITH CHAMBER OF ADVISORS [...] (C) In a June 8 courtesy call with the Ambassador, Chamber of Advisors President (and ruling RCD party Treasurer) Kallel focused on the necessity of taking an offensive posture in combating Islamic extremism. He noted that Tunisia had made great strides in promoting economic development, unive [...] |
2007-06-13 15:39:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER ELAB SOCI TS |
| 07TUNIS758 | CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR OUTLINES REFORM AGENDA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. During Ambassador's June 7 courtesy call, Central Bank (BCT) Governor Taoufik Baccar emphasized the importance of the BCT in shaping GOT economic policy and outlined his agenda for reform. Baccar is currently pursuing reform in three main areas: monetary policy, banking, and cu [...] |
2007-06-15 13:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN EINV ECON ETRD TS |
| 07TUNIS774 | TWO TUNISIAN DETAINEES TRANSFERRED FROM GUANTANAMO [...] (S/NF) On June 18 at approximately 1300 local time, the Government of Tunisia accepted custody of two Tunisian nationals (Lufti Bin Swei Lagha (Partial ISN 660) and Abdullah Bin Omar (Partial ISN 721) formerly detained at the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 2. (S/NF) COMMENT. During [...] |
2007-06-18 13:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER KAWC PGOV PINR TS |
| 07TUNIS787 | 22ND JMC FOCUSES ON COUNTERTERRORISM NEEDS, AFRICOM [...] (S) During the May 22-23 US-Tunisia Joint Military Commission meetings in Tunis, participants reiterated the importance of the two countries' strategic partnership and strong bilateral mil-to-mil relationship and sought ways to advance cooperation. The Tunisian co-chair, Minister of National [...] |
2007-06-19 13:55:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | MARR PGOV PREL MASS TS |
| 07TUNIS791 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. IMF Concludes 2007 Article IV Mission B. Qatar Petroleum Awarded Skhira Refinery Tender -------------------------------- IMF Concludes Article IV Mission --------------------------- [...] |
2007-06-20 05:39:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV EFIN ECPS TS |
| 07TUNIS797 | TUNISIA: FM ABDALLAH EBULLIENT OVER US TRIP; [...] (C/NF) An extremely grateful Foreign Minister Abdallah asked to see the Ambassador on June 19 to convey his pleasure over his recently concluded trip to the United States (Ref A). No less than six times in the course of the 30-minute meeting, Abdallah expressed appreciation for the warm recep [...] |
2007-06-20 16:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL MASS OVIP TS |
| 07TUNIS819 | IRAQI WMD SCIENTISTS REDIRECTION PROGRAM: TUNISIA [...] (U) This is an action request. See para 3. 2. (S/NF) Further to Ref A response on the Iraqi WMD scientist redirection program, MFA Chief of Staff Hatem Atallah today told the Ambassador that the GOT is still considering the proposal, but that the GOT needs further information before making [...] |
2007-06-22 15:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PINR PINS PARM PREL PREF TS |
| 07TUNIS83 | LABOR PROGRAMMING NEEDS IN TUNISIA [...] (SBU) Post welcomes reftel's request for input on labor programming needs in the region. Tunisia has a strong labor history pre-dating independence, and unions are active across all sectors and throughout Tunisia. The General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT), the sole labor confederation, is [...] |
2007-01-17 15:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB EAID ECON EIND ETRD TS |
| 07TUNIS839 | BEN ALI GIVES INDEPENDENT NGO CASH GIFT [...] (C) In early June, the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD), an authorized and independent NGO active in debating and publicizing women's issues, received a TD 50,000 (approximately US $40,000) gift from President Ben Ali. While focused primarily on social issues, ATFD leaders have [...] |
2007-06-26 14:01:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM SOCI TS |
| 07TUNIS84 | DAS CARPENTER'S MEETING WITH FM ABDALLAH [...] (C) SUMMARY: During his January 10-12 visit to Tunis, NEA Deputy Assistant Secretary J. Scott Carpenter met with Foreign Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah on January 11. DAS Carpenter briefed Abdallah on the President's January 10 speech on Iraq. Abdallah stressed the importance of rooting out te [...] |
2007-01-17 15:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KMPI PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS840 | GOT DISCOURAGES CIVIL SOCIETY ANTI-DEATH PENALTY [...] (C) On June 14, a group of prominent Tunisian NGOs, led by the Tunisian chapter of Amnesty International, announced they were launching a coalition against the death penalty in Tunisia. This move is an anomaly because the Tunisian chapter of Amnesty International usually refrains from repor [...] |
2007-06-26 14:14:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS841 | RCD VP LAUDS PARTY INFLUENCE, BEMOANS OPPOSITION [...] (C) In a June 25 courtesy call with the Ambassador, ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) party Vice President Hamed Karoui argued that the party was behind much of Tunisia's political, social and economic progress. The Ambassador noted that while social and economic achievements are n [...] |
2007-06-26 14:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PREL SOCI ECON EINV TS |
| 07TUNIS856 | TUNISIA: NOTIFICATION OF ARB PROCEEDINGS DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] |
2007-06-28 12:19:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PINR PHUM TS |
| 07TUNIS86 | DAS CARPENTER'S MEETING WITH ATCE DIRECTOR ROMDHANI [...] (C) SUMMARY: DURING HIS JANUARY 10-12 VISIT TO TUNIS, NEA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY J. SCOTT CARPENTER MET WITH OUSSAMA ROMDHANI, DIRECTOR OF THE TUNISIAN EXTERNAL PRESS AGENCY (ATCE), ON JANUARY 11. DAS CARPENTER BRIEFED ROMDHANI ON THE PRESIDENT'S JANUARY 10 SPEECH ON IRAQ. ROMDHANI SAID [...] |
2007-01-17 16:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KMPI PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS865 | TUNISIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER ELECTS NEW BOARD [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: At the June 28 Tunisian-American Chamber of Commerce (TACC) General Assembly meeting, the TACC membership elected a new board with equal Tunisian and American company representation. The election itself was notable, marking the first time in many years that there were more candi [...] |
2007-06-29 12:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD BEXP EINV TS |
| 07TUNIS869 | REGIME INSIDER OUTLINES TUNISIA'S CHALLENGES [...] (C) SUMMARY: During the Ambassador's June 29 courtesy call, President of the Economic and Social Council and Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) party stalwart, Sadok Chaabane presented his views on trade, extremism, and democracy. Chabaane stressed the importance of reducing economic depen [...] |
2007-07-02 13:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV ETRD KDEM TS |
| 07TUNIS889 | TUNISIAN MILITARY'S URGENT NEED FOR US SUPPORT [...] (S) In May, I conveyed the disappointment of the Tunis Country Team with the proposed cuts in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funding for Tunisia in Fiscal Year 2008 (Ref C). Tunisia is facing an unprecedented regional terrorist threat, particularly from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM [...] |
2007-07-05 15:06:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | MASS PTER MARR PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS890 | TROOP CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE HYBRID OPERATION IN [...] (C) Pol/EconCouns on July 2 conveyed Ref A message to MFA Director for North American Affairs Moez Sinaoui. Acknowledging the GOT's negative responses to earlier requests for Darfur PKO support requests (Refs C and E), she urged the GOT to give further consideration to the matter. Pol/EconCoun [...] |
2007-07-05 16:10:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPKO UNSC MASS TS |
| 07TUNIS896 | TUNISIA ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS [...] (U) This cable contains highlights of recent economic developments in Tunisia on the following topics: A. Creation of a New Agency for E-Commerce B. British Gas to Invest US $1.3 billion in Tunisia C. Central Bank June Report D. Italy and Tunisia Agree to Connect Electrical Grids ---- [...] |
2007-07-06 14:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV EFIN ECPS ENRG EPET TS |
| 07TUNIS899 | GOT ASKS WHO IS CONTRIBUTING TO DARFUR HYBRID [...] (U) THIS CABLE CONTAINS AN ACTION REQUEST -- PLEASE SEE PARA 3. 2. (SBU) On July 6, Ambassador delivered reftel talking points requesting Tunisian support, in the form of police and/or military observers, for the Darfur Hybrid Operations to MFA Chief of Staff Hatem Atallah. Atallah asked w [...] |
2007-07-06 14:40:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPKO UNSC MASS SU TS |
| 07TUNIS903 | STOPPING THE FLOW OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS TO IRAQ [...] No summary [...] |
2007-07-09 09:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PTER SY IZ TS |
| 07TUNIS904 | AN OPPOSITION LEADER'S TAKE ON DEMOCRACY IN TUNISIA [...] (SBU) The Ambassador met with Mustapha Ben Jaafar, Secretary General of the Democratic Forum for Labor and SIPDIS Liberty (FDTL), to discuss Tunisia's political situation, the link between opposition parties and human rights, and President Bush's Freedom Agenda on July 3. Although the FDT [...] |
2007-07-09 10:07:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS932 | TUNISIAN BAR ASSOCIATION RETAINS INDEPENDENCE [...] (C) On July 1, Bechir Essid was elected President of the Tunisian Bar Association. Essid's election was a surprise to many, as the ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) had opposed him and strongly backed other candidates. Other independents were also elected to the Bar Association's [...] |
2007-07-13 12:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS936 | WOMEN'S NGO URGES US ACTION ON FREEDOM DEFICIT, [...] (C) Summary: During the Ambassador's July 11 courtesy call on the independent Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD), Executive Board members outlined challenges for independent civil society and urged the USG to take greater steps to promote freedom of expression and association. The [...] |
2007-07-16 07:59:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SOCI PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS938 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH THE LOYAL OPPOSITION [...] (C) On July 10 the Ambassador met with three opposition party leaders: Mohamed Bouchiha (Secretary General of the Popular Unity Party or PUP), Mongi Khamassi (Secretary General of the Green Party for Progress or PVP), and Mondher Thabet (Secretary General of the Liberal Social Party or PSL). [...] |
2007-07-16 09:48:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS939 | TUNISIAN JOURNALISTS ARE THE NEWS FOR JUNE [...] (C) Rather than just reporting the news, a series of incidents involving Tunisian journalists became news during late May and June. In brief: -- On May 18, plainclothes policemen barricaded the entrance to an online newspaper and reportedly assaulted several journalists. -- On June 22, pl [...] |
2007-07-16 09:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO TS |
| 07TUNIS94 | AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT [...] No summary [...] |
2007-01-18 13:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS949 | TUNISIA: SARKOZY HIGHLIGHTS MEDITERRANEAN UNION, [...] (C) Summary: French President Sarkozy's July 10-11 working visit to Tunisia, a preview to a State Visit that is planned to take place in early 2008, was focused largely on Sarkozy's proposed Euro-Mediterranean Union. The visit gave the GOT a taste of post-Chirac French foreign policy, which [...] |
2007-07-16 16:27:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PHUM PGOV TS |
| 07TUNIS958 | GOT INSIDER SAYS TUNISIA READY FOR FASTER [...] (S) During a ninety-minute courtesy call with the Ambassador on July 12, Arab League Deputy Secretary General and GOT insider Chedli Neffati told the Ambassador that, while security concerns had slowed reform in the 1990s, Tunisia today is ready for more political liberalization. However, "we [...] |
2007-07-17 13:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV KDEM PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS965 | TUNISIA: REACTIONS TO PRESIDENT'S MIDDLE EAST [...] (C) Summary: Initial GOT reactions to the President's July 16 speech on the Middle East have been largely favorable. Several Embassy contacts also responded positively, in particular to the call for an international conference. Several commentators, have, however offered criticisms about pa [...] |
2007-07-18 16:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL KWBG IS TS |
| 07TUNIS98 | POST VIEWS ON FY-07 SECTION 1206 PROPOSALS [...] (S) In response to reftel, post provides its evaluations of the following FY-07 Section 1206 proposals applicable to Tunisia. Post notes that it shared these views directly with EUCOM via SVTCs on December 18 and 19, 2006. Post thanks NEA/MAG for facilitating these discussions. 2. (S) Pos [...] |
2007-01-22 13:55:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | MASS PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS984 | FM ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS, REGIONAL VIEWS [...] (C) The July 12-14 visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki capped months of active GOT-GOI engagement. However, Foreign Minister Abdallah told Ambassador on July 24 that there is no change in Tunisia's position on Iran's nuclear ambitions. Abdallah said Mottaki made clear Iran th [...] |
2007-07-24 15:56:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON PTER KNNP IR IZ TS |
| 07TUNIS985 | TUNISIAN FM ADMITS MORE FREEDOM NEEDED [...] (S) Foreign Minister Abdallah used a July 24 meeting with the Ambassador on other topics to express his concern about Post's engagement of independent opposition figures. Ambassador reminded Abdallah of the USG's commitment to the Freedom Agenda and encouraged greater political reform. In a f [...] |
2007-07-24 16:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS986 | MOHAMMED ABBOU RELEASED [...] (C) Summary: Lawyer and civil society activist Mohamed Abbou was released on July 24 and, for the first time in over two years, returned home to his family. Abbou told Pol/EconCouns he was extremely grateful to the United States for keeping his case alive and for looking after his family. Th [...] |
2007-07-25 10:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS991 | TUNISIAN UNGA PARTICIPATION NOT DECIDED [...] (SBU) On July 23, Post sent a diplomatic note requesting reftel information on the Tunisian delegation to the 62nd UNGA meetings. On July 25, Ambassador followed up with MFA Chief of Staff Hatem Atallah. Atallah said that he had seen Post's diplomatic note, but that the GOT had not yet decide [...] |
2007-07-26 12:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL TS |
| 07TUNIS992 | TUNISIA READIES NEW IPR LEGISLATION [...] (SBU) In a July 24 meeting with EconOff, Director General of Tunisian Copyright Protection Organization (OTPDA), Mohamed Kheireddine Abdel Ali, spoke optimistically and enthusiastically about Tunisia's progress on intellectual property rights protection and an increased GOT commitment to the i [...] |
2007-07-26 12:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR TS |
| 08TUNIS1007 | DETAINEE LUFTI BIN SWEI LAGHA HAS NOT COMPLAINED [...] (C) Summary: Mabruk Lagha, the older brother of former Guantanamo detainee Lufti Ben Swei reported that he sees his brother about 3-4 times per month and gives him food and clothing. He did not report any mistreatment. Lutfi says his health is fine but Mabruk personally worries about his br [...] |
2008-09-09 11:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PTER PHUM KDRG TS |
| 08TUNIS1015 | TUNISIA'S UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, A FORUM FOR [...] (SBU): Following the August 10 elections for the regional and union members of Tunisia's Chamber of Advisors, President Ben Ali appointed 20 other new members. Included among Ben Ali's appointments was Mohamed Chandoul, a senior leader of the General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT), who agre [...] |
2008-09-10 15:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ELAB PINR TS |
| 08TUNIS1030 | GOT SUPPORT FOR TUNISIAN TOURISM: ALL TALK NO [...] (SBU) Summary: Tunisia's tourism sector, which accounts for 11 percent of GDP, grew 8.6 percent in the first quarter of 2008 and in 2007 generated more than 3.05 billion TD (roughly $2.5 billion) in revenue. Though overall figures look strong, they are consistent with the package-deal low-end [...] |
2008-09-15 16:31:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD PGOV TS |
| 08TUNIS104 | SCENESETTER FOR THE VISIT OF S/CT AMBASSADOR DAILEY [...] (S/NF) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes S/CT Ambassador Dell Dailey, NEA DAS Gordon Gray and accompanying delegation to Tunis from February 10-12, 2008. Your visit takes place in the context of a generally positive bilateral relationship. While cooperation with military and intelligence services [...] |
2008-02-04 15:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PGOV PREL TS |
| 08TUNIS1041 | TUNIS RESPONSE ON MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH [...] (U) Embassy Tunis confirms that Andrea Donnally will be responsible for coordinating requests to the GOT for all marine scientific research authorizations. Her tour began July 2008 and is scheduled to end July 2010. Beth Mitchell, Commercial/Economic Officer is her back up. 2. (SBU) Embas [...] |
2008-09-19 11:11:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KRVC TPHY EWWT TS |
| 08TUNIS1058 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON CANCELING SAUDI PROPOSED [...] (SBU) Embassy delivered reftel demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, the Ambassador spoke by telephone to MFA Chief-of-Staff Mahmoud Khemiri to request GOT support in canceling or delaying the Saudi proposed Ministerial-level UNSC meeting on Israeli settlement activity. K [...] |
2008-09-25 15:12:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KWBG KPAL PREL UNSC IS TS |
| 08TUNIS1059 | RULING RCD PARTY RESHUFFLES THE TOP [...] (SBU) Following President Zine el Abdidine Ben Ali's Cabinet reshuffle, the ruling Democratic Constittional Rally (RCD) announced changes in the leadership of its Political Bureau (PB) September 5. In Tunisia, Cabinet Ministers fall somewhere behind the members of the RCD Political Bureau in [...] |
2008-09-25 15:19:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR TS |
| 08TUNIS1073 | TERRORISM FINANCE: DESIGNATION OF FIVE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-02 12:30:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ETTC PREL PTER KTFN UNSC IZ IR SY |
| 08TUNIS1076 | TUNISIA:NEW REPORTS OF HARRASSMENT OF JOURNALISTS [...] (C) Despite GOT claims that it permits freedom of expression, the Embassy has received three new reports of harassment and mistreatment of journalists and activists. The reports are from: -- journalist Slim Boukhdhir, who reports he was forcibly driven to an isolated area and threatened by th [...] |
2008-10-05 18:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1082 | DELIVERED DEMARCHE OF REQUEST FOR M113 ARMORED [...] (S) Summary: We have delivered via diplomatic note the demarche requesting the GOT to consider transferring some of its M113 armored personnel vehicles (APC) to Yemen. We do not anticipate a positive response as the GOT is already stretched to secure its own difficult borders. The Ambassa [...] |
2008-10-08 14:53:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL SA TS |
| 08TUNIS1092 | CITIZENS NOT SUBJECTS: OPPOSITION PARTY TIRED OF [...] (C) Leaders from the opposition at-Tajdid party opined that Tunisia is ready for, and needs, more freedom of expression during an October 6 meeting with the Ambassador. The party opposed the ruling party's presidential candidacy requirements proposal, and has not yet decided whether to conte [...] |
2008-10-14 15:47:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1093 | SOCIAL DEMOCRATS SEEK INCREASED ECONOMIC [...] (C) Ismail Boulahia, Secretary General of the Social Democratic Movement (MDS) and MDS political bureau member Taieb Mohsni, discussed the prospects for economic cooperation with the Ambassador on October 7. Boulahia explained his party's support of the ruling Democratic Constitutional Rall [...] |
2008-10-14 15:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1101 | TUNISIA PROJECTS CONFIDENCE THAT IT WILL WEATHER [...] (U) In the face of worldwide economic volatility, the GOT is boasting about the Tunisian economy's resilience to the crisis. Most often cited reasons for Tunisia's buoyancy include the non-convertibility of the Dinar, lack of global integration, regulations prohibiting Tunisian banks from inv [...] |
2008-10-16 16:09:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON EFIN ETRD TS |
| 08TUNIS1105 | DELIVERED DEMARCHE ON UNIFIED COMMAND STATUS OF [...] Embassy delivered reftel demarche October 9 informing the GOT that US Africa Command (AFRICOM) achieved full Unified Command Status to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Any substantive response from the GOT will be reported septel. GODEC [...] |
2008-10-17 11:53:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR PREL TS |
| 08TUNIS1106 | DELIVERED DEMARCHE ON IMPLEMENTING UNSC [...] Embassy delivered reftel demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs October 10, 2008. Any substantive response from the GOT will be reported septel. GODEC [...] |
2008-10-17 11:54:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP IR MNUC PARM UNSC TS |
| 08TUNIS1108 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-20 13:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL UN TS |
| 08TUNIS1109 | AMBASSADOR PRESSES FM ABDALLAH ON DEMOCRACY [...] (S/NF) In a one-on-one meeting on October 18, the Ambassador raised with Foreign Minister Abdallah the importance of further progress on democracy in Tunisia. The Ambassador noted the Secretary's remarks on the subject to President Ben Ali in early September (ref. A) and his request for spec [...] |
2008-10-20 13:48:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PREL TS |
| 08TUNIS1110 | FM SAYS ACCESS TO FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEES NOT [...] (S) During an October 18 call on Foreign Minister Abdallah, the Ambassador asked the Minister whether the GOT would provide the Embassy access to the two Guantanamo detainees returned last year. Abdallah replied that he had explained honestly the GOT point of view to NEA A/S Welch (ref. a), [...] |
2008-10-20 13:51:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PTER PHUM KDRG TS |
| 08TUNIS1111 | THE AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON FM ABDALLAH: BILATERAL [...] (S) Summary: During a meeting with the Ambassador on October 18, FM Abdulwaheb Abdallah said he was making his first trip to Russia in the coming days, accompanied by 23 businessmen. An economic agreement is to be signed. The Ambassador asked for an explanation on the withdrawal of police [...] |
2008-10-20 13:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | PREL PGOV MARR PINS PHUM IZ RS TS YM |
| 08TUNIS112 | TUNISIA REPORTS NOT INVITED TO MOROCCO GI [...] (SBU) In a February 4 diplomatic note, and in response to Post's January 31 delivery of reftel demarche, the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it had not yet received an invitation from the Government of Morocco to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GI) Seminar [...] |
2008-02-06 07:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PARM PREL PTER KGIC IAEA TS |
| 08TUNIS1124 | OPPOSITION PARTIES TOSSES THEIR HATS INTO [...] (C) Two Tunisian opposition parties represented in parliament will present candidates during the 2009 presidential elections, bringing the total number of eligible candidates to four. Of the candidates, Popular Unity Party (PUP) head Mohamed Bouchiha and Democratic Unionist Union (UDU) Secr [...] |
2008-10-29 16:38:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1126 | TERRORISM FINANCE: DESIGNATION OF GULF-BASED [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-30 08:58:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER TS |
| 08TUNIS1128 | TERRORISM FINANCE: DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-31 07:15:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KNNP MNUC PARM PREL IR TS |
| 08TUNIS113 | SHOW ME THE MONEY: TUNISIA'S CAPITAL MARKETS [...] (C) Tunisian business people, current and former bankers, and even GOT officials complain that continued weakness, mismanagement and corruption in the banking sector plague Tunisia's whole financial system. The problems in the banking sector not only restrict available credit, but distort acc [...] |
2008-02-06 10:37:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET | EFIN EINV KCOR TS |
| 08TUNIS1132 | TUNISIA DEFENDS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, BUT CAUTIOUSLY [...] (C/NF) During the mid-October visit of Warren Cofsky, from DRL's Office of International Religious Freedom, Embassy officials met with a series of government officials and religious leaders involved in religious freedom issues. Though those affiliated with the government stuck closely to GOT [...] |
2008-11-03 12:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1135 | GOT QUESTIONS STATUS OF AMERICAN COMMMUNITY SCHOOL [...] (SBU) Summary: The MFA held a surprise meeting on October 30 to review the status of the American Community School of Tunis (ACST). In attendance were senior school and Embassy officials. The Ministry wanted clarification for the basis of the school's existence in Tunis since 1959 since it [...] |
2008-11-03 16:13:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | ASCH PREL PGOV TS |
| 08TUNIS1137 | (S) TUNISIAN GUANTANAMO DETAINEES: WHAT NEXT? [...] (S/NF) Over the last two years, GOT officials have said Guantanamo detainees transferred to Tunisia will not be tortured or mistreated. President Ben Ali reiterated this "promise" to the Secretary in September. They have denied reports that one of the detainees transferred in 2007 was mistr [...] |
2008-11-04 11:07:00 | Embassy Tunis | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER PHUM KDRG TS |
| 08TUNIS1142 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON MAGNUSON STEVENS [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-06 15:54:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIS SENV ETRD ICCAT |
| 08TUNIS1143 | TUNISIA/EU: TUNISIA'S FAILED QUEST TO HOST THE UPM [...] (C/NF) In the aftermath of Tunisia's announcement that it was not interested in hosting the Union of the Mediterranean (UPM) or providing its Secretary General (Ref A), the diplomatic corps has been abuzz with rumors about what happened and why. European diplomatic representatives to Tunisia [...] |
2008-11-06 17:05:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL XI EU TS |
| 08TUNIS1144 | LEAD BY EXAMPLE: TUNISIA REACTS TO AMERICAN [...] (C) From GOT officials to the man on the street, the Tunisian reaction to Barak Obama's win in the presidential elections is overwhelmingly positive. Tunisians seem to be taking this exercise in political participation to heart, with Embassy officials hearing many variations of how Tunisia [...] |
2008-11-06 17:24:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1145 | JOURNALIST, LAWYER POSSIBLE TARGETS OF GOT [...] (C) Journalist Neziha Rejiba, better known by her pen name Om Zied, and her husband attorney Mokhtar Jallali have both had recent legal difficulties, giving rise to speculation that they are the targets of GOT harassment. As is common in Tunisia, Jallali remains in prison following a car ac [...] |
2008-11-06 17:26:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1149 | GOT RELEASES PRISONERS AHEAD OF NATIONAL HOLIDAY [...] (C) In the two weeks preceding November 7, the anniversary of the day President Ben Ali took power, the GOT released two large groups of prisoners. The government frequently releases prisoners before major national holidays; such was the case with journalist Slim Boukhdhir, who was released [...] |
2008-11-10 14:41:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1151 | DELIVERED DEMARCHE ON MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-12 13:32:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL PGOV ETRD ECON KMCA MCC TS |
| 08TUNIS1152 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: RESOLUTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN [...] (C) The Ambassador spoke with the Foreign Minister's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Khemiri on November 12 to underscore the importance the United States attaches to the resolution on Iran, as well as the resolutions on Burma and North Korea. The Ambassador went through US views in detail with Khemiri. [...] |
2008-11-12 17:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV UN TS |
| 08TUNIS1153 | BEN ALI'S "YOUTH PACT" MORE ABOUT BEN ALI THAN [...] (C) The GOT's youth initiative (reftel) culminated with the November 7th signing of a "Pact with Tunisian Youth." The agreement is the result of a year long "Dialogue with Youth" sponsored by the government. Though members of government and civil society have at other times dwelt on the iss [...] |
2008-11-12 17:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1154 | AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DIFFICULTIES WORKING IN [...] (C) Summary: In the course of delivering petitions requesting the closure of Guantanamo Bay, the President of Amnesty International Tunisia (AIT) reported continuing difficulties operating in Tunisia because of GOT intimidation. Tactics include intervention by the Ministry of Social Affairs [...] |
2008-11-14 09:33:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL TS |
| 08TUNIS1156 | DELIVERED DEMARCHE ON OSCE MANPADS SEMINAR [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-17 07:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC ASEC EAIR ETTC MARR MAS MCAP MOPS OSCE |
| 08TUNIS1166 | PRESIDENT BEN ALI'S ANNIVERSARY SPEECH - GIVING [...] (C) Summary: Ben Ali's annual November 7 speech, given on the occasion of his coming to power in 1987, highlighted the upcoming elections, announced several new development initiatives, and emphasized the government's cautious go-slow attitude toward currency liberalization. In foreign affair [...] |
2008-11-19 16:43:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TS |
| 08TUNIS1168 | ECONOMIST HOSTS BUSINESS GOVERNMENT ROUNDTABLE: THE GOT [...] (U) The Economist Intelligence Unit recently hosted its first business roundtable in Tunisia with strong government and company participation. Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi gave remarks on the GOT's current economic development plan and responded to questions from business leaders and dip [...] |
2008-11-20 14:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD TS |
| 08TUNIS1174 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON PSI: SUMMARY OF SEPTEMBER [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-21 12:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP MNUC PARM PREL TS |
| 08TUNIS1175 | INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SEEK HELP IN [...] (C) PolOffs met with representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on November 17 and 18. Both organizations echoed a common complaint in the diplomatic community: the GOT does not share information, restri [...] |
2008-11-21 13:18:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL UN TS |
| 08TUNIS1176 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: OPPOSING UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-24 16:23:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNGA IS PA LE SY TS |
| 08TUNIS1177 | SCEENSETTER FOR CODEL HASTINGS [...] (SBU) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Congressman Hastings and accompanying delegation to Tunis December 2 - 3, 2008. In a difficult region, Tunisia is stable and moderate, with a record of economic and social progress. The Tunisian government delivers education, health care, housing, infrastru [...] |
2008-11-24 16:39:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS |
| 08TUNIS1178 | SCEENSETTER FOR CODEL MEEK [...] (SBU) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Congressman Meek and accompanying delegation to Tunis December 5 - 7, 2008. In a difficult region, Tunisia is stable and moderate, with a record of economic and social progress. The Tunisian government delivers education, health care, housing, infrastructu [...] |
2008-11-24 16:42:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS |
| 08TUNIS1180 | SCENESETTER FOR CODEL MEEK [...] (SBU) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Congressman Meek and accompanying delegation to Tunis December 5 - 7, 2008. In a difficult region, Tunisia is stable and moderate, with a record of economic and social progress. The Tunisian government delivers education, health care, housing, infrastructu [...] |
2008-11-25 08:03:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS |
| 08TUNIS1181 | SCENESETTER FOR CODEL HASTINGS [...] (SBU) Embassy Tunis warmly welcomes Congressman Hastings and accompanying delegation to Tunis December 2 - 3, 2008. In a difficult region, Tunisia is stable and moderate, with a record of economic and social progress. The Tunisian government delivers education, health care, housing, infrastru [...] |
2008-11-25 08:04:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PGOV PREL ECON PTER TS |
| 08TUNIS1186 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: NOVEMBER 26 ARAB LEAGUE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-26 07:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KWBG AL TS |
| 08TUNIS1192 | INDEPENDENT OPPOSITION PARTY'S PROBLEMS WORSEN [...] (C) On November 12 the opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) learned that a legal decision could result in all of the furniture and equipment in its national headquarters being auctioned off without warning. In addition, lawsuits brought by five vegetable-oil companies against PDP l [...] |
2008-12-02 17:25:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS |
| 08TUNIS1193 | TUNISIA: GETTING READY FOR NUCLEAR POWER [...] (SBU) GOT officials expressed strong interest in U.S. civil nuclear cooperation during the November 19 visit of Ambassador Jackie Wolcott, Special Envoy for Nuclear Nonproliferation, and her interagency delegation. Wolcott discussed opportunities for increased technical exchanges, human capit [...] |
2008-12-03 08:52:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY |