VZCZCXYZ2454
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #0195/01 0631712
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 031712Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4527
INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

S E C R E T TUNIS 000195 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/FO (WELCH AND GRAY), NEA/MAG (HOPKINS AND HARRIS) 
NSC FOR ABRAMS AND YERGER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018 
TAGS: PREL PMIL PTER PGOV PHUM ETRD EINV TS
SUBJECT: A/S WELCH DISCUSSES BILATERAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES 
WITH GOT COUNTERPARTS, INTELLECTUALS 
 
REF: A. TUNIS 194 
     ¶B. TUNIS 193 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (S/NF) In exchanges with the Minister of Defense and the 
Minister of Development and International Cooperation on 
February 28, A/S Welch underscored US commitment to advancing 
mutual interests in the respective areas of defense and 
counter-terrorism cooperation, and increasing bilateral trade 
and investment.  A/S Welch also took advantage of his meeting 
with the DefMin to press for better CT cooperation on a 
specific case involving a terrorist in Tunisian custody.  At 
a dinner gathering with intellectuals and members of civil 
society the previous evening, Welch provided a tour d'horizon 
of the region, while dinner guests offered constructive 
criticism about US Middle East policies.  Participants also 
raised the domestic political situation in Tunisia including 
their concerns about increased corruption.  End Summary. 
 
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FMF, CT Cooperation 
------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) In a 45-minute meeting on February 28, Minister of 
National Defense Kamel Morjane exchanged views on bilateral 
issues and regional developments with NEA A/S Welch, who was 
accompanied by Ambassador, Executive Assistant to the Deputy 
National Security Advisor, ODC Chief, NEA Staff Asst, and 
Pol/Econ Couns.  On the bilateral front, A/S Welch took up 
the issue of the decreased amount for Foreign Military 
Financing (FMF) for Tunisia, explaining that the 
Administration would continue to be "entrepreneurial" in its 
efforts to locate alternative sources of funding to help the 
GOT address the emerging threat of al-Qaeda in the Lands of 
the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), as we have been in the current 
fiscal year.  Repeating a formulation he used with 
Congressman Cramer, DefMin Morjane noted that he had promised 
himself not to raise this issue.  While he understood the 
budgetary pressure the USG is facing, he said he could not 
help looking at the issue from a Tunisian optic.  For 
Tunisia, he continued, $10 million will make or break the 
military's capacity to control its borders; for the United 
States, he countered, such a sum is "not fundamental." 
Concluding, he committed that, regardless of the FMF levels, 
the bilateral relationship would remain important to Tunisia 
in all fields, from defense to foreign policy. 
 
¶3. (S/NF) Welch underscored that the upcoming Joint Military 
Commission in Washington will provide an opportunity for the 
Tunisian side to demonstrate that it is being helpful, 
including in its responsiveness to US requests for 
coordination on counter-terrorism (CT) issues.  Morjane noted 
that responsibility for CT coordination is not limited to 
just his ministry.  Welch agreed, pointing out that there 
have been instances in which the coordination process with 
another agency had been problematic.  He cited the slow and 
incomplete sharing of information relating to the December 
2006/January 2007 take-down of a terror cell that reportedly 
planned to attack the US and UK Embassies and personnel, as 
well as an ongoing specific case in which the USG is seeking 
access to Tunisian terrorist Noureddine Taam.  Drawing a 
stark comparison between the lack of cooperation of the 
Tunisian authorities to the much more forthcoming posture of 
its neighboring states on such matters, Welch remarked, "We 
shouldn't have to ask friends for this kind of assistance. 
It should have been volunteered already."  (Note:  Additional 
details Ref B and in GRPO channels.) 
 
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Previewing Trade Talks 
---------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) Meeting with Minister of Development and International 
Cooperation Mohamed Nouri Jouini, A/S Welch and Ambassador 
Godec previewed the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework 
Agreement (TIFA) council that will take place in Tunis March 
10-11.  They underscored the US commitment to reducing trade 
barriers and improving bilateral trade and investment, even 
in the absence of "fast track" authority to pursue a free 
trade agreement (FTA).  Expressing pleasure with the 
"new-found momentum" behind the TIFA process, Jouini made 
clear that Tunisia is "keen" to have an FTA with the United 
States.  Explaining foreign trade constitutes the equivalent 
 
of 100 percent of Tunisia's GDP, he noted that the Tunisian 
economy is very exposed to international economic 
fluctuations and that it is imperative that it diversify its 
trading partners. 
 
------------------------------ 
Intellectuals Offer Their Take 
------------------------------ 
 
¶5. (C) Over dinner with intellectuals and members of civil 
society, A/S Welch shared with his interlocutors the US 
perspective on regional developments.  There was particular 
interest in the Israeli-Palestinian situation, with 
participants voicing criticism over Israeli actions in the 
Gaza Strip.  They also expressed skepticism about the chances 
of finding a solution by the end of the current calendar 
year.  They took Welch's point, however, that it is 
preferable to try to reach a settlement.  They also appeared 
relieved to learn that the negotiations track is progressing, 
albeit behind closed doors.  The dinner also saw lively 
discussion about the domestic political situation in Tunisia. 
 At first, this took the guise of a discussion about 
developments in Algeria, since Welch had just arrived from 
Algiers.  In this context, several participants expressed 
concern about the likelihood of President Bouteflika seeking 
a constitutional amendment to allow him a third term.  Others 
noted the absence of freedom of expression in Algeria. 
Finally, one dinner guest asked, "Why are we talking about 
Algeria?" to which another added, "Are we talking about 
Algeria?"  Dinner participants were frank about the 
increasing phenomenon of corruption in Tunisia.  They also 
shared personal experiences relating to the absence of 
freedom of expression. 
 
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Comment 
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¶6. (C) A/S Welch was able to interact with a broad range of 
interlocutors during his visit to Tunisia.  His frank words 
with the DefMin helped tee up his discussion of CT 
cooperation with President Ben Ali.  In the case of dinner 
with intellectuals and civil society representatives, Welch 
was able to hear a perspective on Tunisian developments that 
is not often given voice in this society.  All of these 
interactions were well received.  End Comment. 
 
¶7. (U) A/S Welch did not have a chance to clear this cable. 
 
Please visit Embassy Tunis' Classified Website at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.c fm 
GODEC