Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
Global
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Browse by tag
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05TUNIS1456, AMBASSADOR REACHES OUT TO TUNISIA'S SECOND CITY -
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05TUNIS1456 | 2005-07-05 14:17 | 2011-08-30 01:44 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tunis |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TUNIS 001456
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB, NEA/PI (FRANCESKI), AND NEA/MAG (LAWRENCE)
COMMERCE FOR CLDP (MARC TEJTEL), ITA/MAC/ONE (DAVID ROTH),
AND ADVOCACY CENTER (CHRIS JAMES)
CASABLANCA FOR FCS (GAIL DEL ROSAL)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (DOUG BELL) AND USAID (METZGER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2015
TAGS: PREL ECON EINV EAID TS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR REACHES OUT TO TUNISIA'S SECOND CITY -
SFAX - THE ECONOMIC ENGINE
Classified By: Ambassador William J. Hudson; Reasons: 1.4(b),(d)
¶1. (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-tech industry. Econoff also met with Chamber
representative to discuss possible collaboration on a
workshop on E-commerce to stimulate potential for additional
U.S. trade and investment and modernization of Tunisia's
services sector. End Summary.
Ambassador Encourages Political Reform in Tunisia
--------------------------------------------- ----
¶2. (U) In his first meeting with recently appointed Governor
of Sfax, Ali Ksiksi, the Ambassador drew Ksiksi's attention
to Secretary Rice's recent speech in Cairo to emphasize that
democratic movements are reshaping the region and that USG
support of political and economic reforms are paramount
policy priorities. The Ambassador also emphasized key points
from President Bush's second inaugural address that "America
will not impose our style of government on the unwilling.
Our goal instead is to help others find their own voice, to
attain their own freedom, and to make their own way."
¶3. (U) Ksiksi reacted by noting that Tunisia is a country
that has drawn on diversity throughout the millennia from
Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Muslim, and Berber
civilizations, among others, and that Tunisians are "calm
people" who avoid sudden or dramatic political shifts.
Ksiksi did, however, concede that he expected to see "new
faces" emerging out of this coming weekend's elections that
will create a second house in Parliament, the Chamber of
Counselors (septel). Ksiksi, portraying Tunisia as a
meritocracy, also noted his own humble origins, coming from a
modest family of seven children, making his way through
diligent study to become a medical doctor and then a
government official (see more in bio note below).
Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Update on Trade and Investment
--------------------------------------------- --------------
¶4. (U) The Ambassador also addressed a luncheon hosted by the
Sfax Chamber of Commerce in which he updated approximately
thirty-five members of Sfax's business and governmental
community on the recent Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA) Council held in Tunis, June 15, led by
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Catherine Novelli and her
counterpart Minister Jouini (reported reftel). Questions
from the luncheon centered on how Tunisian interests could be
served from a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S., what
products would find welcome markets in the U.S., and how
greater trade with the U.S. would impact local economic
conditions, especially unemployment.
¶5. (C) Interlocutors in Sfax spoke frankly with the
Ambassador in side-meetings, noting that they are
increasingly frustrated with the current state of doing
business in Tunisia. (Note: Comments reinforce a growing
perception that corruption, influence from Presidential
in-laws, and administrative difficulties continue to make
doing business ever-more complicated. End note.)
Tunisia's Technological Aspirations
-----------------------------------
¶6. (U) Following lunch, University of Sfax representatives
presented one of the proposed sites for installation of
USAID-funded Sun Microsystems computer equipment and
accompanying software and training. The facilities are
nearing construction completion and should be finished in
several months in time for fall courses. Kim Jefferson, an
independent program review analyst for USAID, also
accompanied the Ambassador. Jefferson noted the key
integration of concepts learned during a prior USAID-funded
information technology study tour for members of Sfax
technology community to Baltimore, Md. in spring 2004. That
tour aimed to introduce how information technology research
centers and training labs are preparing university students
for gainful employment and job-creating industries.
¶7. (U) The Ambassador also visited the Sfax Technology Park,
which received USAID funding for its design study for the
Park, and its technology incubator. The Sfax Tech Park has
been developing in accordance with the USAID plan, with the
incubator nearing completion and nearly ready for occupancy.
USAID is providing a last tranche of assistance for a
business plan that will aim to bring private sector
technology companies and research institutions to the Tech
Park.
¶8. (U) On July 28, Econoff met with Sfax Chamber of Commerce
and Junior Chamber of Gremda representatives to discuss plans
to conduct a Department of Commerce Business Facilitation
Incentive Fund (BFIF) workshop on E-Commerce in September
¶2005. We believe that Sfax, with a vibrant Chamber and
notable entrepreneurial flair, will offer a receptive
audience for the workshop, which will aim to share technical
expertise and foster a more open services sector. Key will
be reinforcing the potential for job creation, Tunisia's top
domestic issue, and more open access to information.
Comment
-------
¶9. (SBU/NF) Our interlocutors in Sfax, a southeastern port
city of over half a million, are notably less jaded than some
of our GOT-connected contacts in Tunis; they were receptive
and eager to exchange thoughts about the prospects of a Free
Trade Agreement and other bilateral issues, including reform.
We found that reaching out to this important but
lesser-visited area of Tunisia offered a fruitful opportunity
to engage local leaders who are potentially less subject to
the political constraints, control, and monitoring from
Carthage and the RCD machine. We also feel that continued
U.S. funded assistance, whether under MEPI, remaining USAID
mechanisms, or newly-developing OES initiatives results in
better U.S. public diplomacy outreach for areas that have
scant U.S. presence, but which by our first-hand accounts are
much more willing to receive and acknowledge our overtures.
Biographical Note: Sfax Governor Ali Ksiksi
--------------------------------------------
¶10. (U) Ksiksi (DOB: 28 Nov 1954) became governor in November
2004 following October 2004 national elections and
appointment reshufflings. Ksiksi previously served as
governor of the governorates of Tozeur and Jendouba, and as
Mayor of Medennine. Ksiksi is a medical doctor and spent
seven years studying in the former Soviet Union. Ksiksi
speaks fluent French and some English, is married, and has
three children.
HUDSON