VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #0252/01 0371508
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 061508Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9678
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 7129
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 0763
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 8051

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000252 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/RA AND NEA/MAG - LAWRENCE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2016 
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV PINR TS
SUBJECT: BEN ALI'S NEW YEAR'S SPEECH TO DIPLOMATIC CORPS 
REINFORCES MODERATE MESSAGE 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM HUDSON FOR REASONS 1.5 (b) AND (d) 
 
¶1. (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 
President noted the government's efforts to "reinforce the 
democratic structure" in 2005.  Internationally, Ben Ali 
reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to the Arab Maghreb Union, 
the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference and 
the African Union, while noting that the UN remains the "most 
appropriate framework to find solutions to international 
problems."  He also stressed Tunisia's continued support of 
peace in both Palestine and Iraq.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C) Ambassador, along with approximately one hundred other 
heads of diplomatic missions, delivered New Year's greetings 
to President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali on February 2.  Also in 
attendance were: ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) 
First Vice President Hamed Karoui, Prime Minister Mohamed 
Ghannouchi, President of the Chamber of Deputies Fouad 
M'bazaa, President of the Chamber of Advisors Abdallah 
Kallal, members of the RCD Politburo, government, prominent 
organizations, advisory councils and state entities, and 
representatives of regional and international organizations. 
The dean of the diplomatic corps, Omani Ambassador Ali bin 
Ahmad al-Issani, delivered introductory remarks.  (NOTE: The 
Ambassador saw Ben Ali only briefly welcome the Syrian and 
Iranian ambassadors, while speaking at length with the 
ambassadors of China, South Korea and France.  Ben Ali used 
his moment with the Ambassador to confirm his availability 
for an upcoming Saturday meeting with Secretary Rumsfeld. END 
NOTE.) 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ben Ali began his speech (copies of which were 
distributed after the event) by noting government efforts to 
"reinforce the democratic edifice," particularly as it 
relates to political parties and the press.  He went on to 
highlight specific achievements, such as establishing the 
Chamber of Advisors, enlarging the Higher Communication 
Council to include different parts of Tunisian society, 
diversifying the media landscape and encouraging private 
initiative in the media, and entrusting the president of the 
Higher Committee for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 
with receiving the concerns and suggestions of political 
parties and civil society. 
 
¶4. (C) Regarding the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), Ben Ali said 
he is working with the leaders of other member countries "to 
strengthen the bonds of cooperation...in such a way to give 
the desired impetus to our shared work in all fields."  He 
added, "I am convinced that our Union today needs a pause to 
overcome the obstacles impeding the completion of its 
establishment and the launch of its structures and 
institutions."  (COMMENT: Ben Ali's focus on the AMU is in 
part reflective of the January appointment of former 
presidential advisor and foreign minister Habib Ben Yahia as 
Secretary General of the AMU.  Ben Yahia is likely to 
 
SIPDIS 
encourage the resolution of outstanding conflicts, while 
supporting any positive AMU dialogue or action. END COMMENT.) 
 
¶5. (SBU) President Ben Ali commended the Arab League for the 
results achieved "in implementing the Tunis and Algiers 
Summit resolutions...regarding modernity and progress and 
contributing to the firm rooting of the values of dialogue 
and tolerance in the world."  (NOTE: This passing reference 
to the ambitious May 2005 Tunis Declaration is slightly 
exaggerated, as real progress on the proposed reforms is 
unclear. END NOTE.)  Ben Ali added that Tunisia "will 
continue its support for dialogue among civilizations and 
religions, consecrating world security and peace."  Tunisia, 
as part of the Organization of Islamic Conference, also "will 
pursue the dissemination of the values of moderation...and 
the rejection of extremism and violence." 
 
¶6. (SBU) On Palestine, Ben Ali reaffirmed Tunisia's support 
for the Palestinian cause and renewed his call to "the 
international community and all influential parties, 
particularly the Quartet, to continue efforts to establish a 
just, durable and comprehensive peace."  He added, "We hope 
that 2006 will be a year of serious dialogue and an 
international consensus allowing the Palestinian people to 
recover their legitimate national rights and establish an 
independent state."  The President also said Tunisia hopes 
that Iraq "will be able to achieve concord and national 
unity...so it can devote its efforts to reconstruction and 
development, within a context of stability and serenity." 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) Commenting on challenges facing the world, the 
President said that the United Nations and its institutions 
remain "the most appropriate framework to coordinate efforts 
and find conciliatory solutions."  He added, "We hope the 
endeavors for years to reform will lead to the desired 
results that reinforce its credibility, efficiency and 
position on the international scene."  Ben Ali also noted the 
deep-rooted relations with American and Asian countries, 
which are "based on dialogue, consultation and cooperation," 
as well as its important relations with other Mediterranean 
and African countries.  The President's comments largely 
focused on development and areas of economic and commercial 
cooperation that "serve our mutual interests." 
 
¶8. (C) COMMENT: Although Ben Ali's speech was specifically 
directed to a foreign audience in this case, his comments 
were entirely reflective of broader national goals.  Tunisia 
rarely seeks to independently drive international issues, but 
clearly is a voice of moderation, dialogue and peace in 
regional discussions.  These policies represent Tunisia's 
helpful international engagement that the GOT so often 
highlights with foreign officials. 
 
¶9. (C) COMMENT, CONT.: Ben Ali's comments on democratic 
change in Tunisia are also representative of the political 
reform agenda that GOT officials regularly tell us is a 
national priority.  While the achievements he notes are 
commendable, it is not clear that they have any tangible 
impact on civil society development or encourage political 
participation among average Tunisians. END COMMENT. 
 
¶10. (C) HEALTH UPDATE: Ben Ali appeared robust - standing and 
greeting heads of diplomatic missions and senior GOT 
officials for well over an hour.  He was clearly engaged and 
spoke specifics with practically each chief of mission he 
greeted. 
HUDSON