VZCZCXYZ0060
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #1603/01 1781346
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 271346Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1112
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//INS// PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001603 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/MAG - HARRIS, PM - RLOFTIS AND G/TIP - PATEL 
DOD FOR OSD - MAXELROD, LYOUNG, SYOUNG 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016 
TAGS: MARR PREL KMIG TS
SUBJECT: COM USAFE AND MINISTER OF DEFENSE DISCUSS SOFA, 
AFGHAN PRTS AND TIP 
 
REF: 05 TUNIS 2568 
 
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. DAVID BALLARD FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) 
 AND (d) 
 
¶1. (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 the Status of Forces Agreement.  Gen. Hobbins 
encouraged Tunisia participation in the Afghan Provincial 
Reconstruction Teams, and Morjane indicated civilian support 
may be possible.  Morjane also said the GOT is interested in 
bilateral cooperation to combat illegal migration.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) PARTICIPANTS: 
 
U.S.: 
----- 
 
General William Hobbins, COM USAFE 
Command Chief Master Sergeant Gary Coleman, Senior Enlisted 
Advisor, USAFE 
Hunter Hustace, Political Advisor, USAFE 
Colonel Bradley Anderson, Defense Attache, Embassy Tunis 
Lt. Colonel Chris Herndon, Office of Defense Cooperation 
Chief, Embassy Tunis 
Susannah Cooper, Acting Pol/Econ Chief, Embassy Tunis 
 
TUNISIA: 
-------- 
 
Kamel Morjane, Minister of Defense 
General Mahmoud Ben Mhamed, Chief of Staff, Tunisian Air Force 
Colonel Habib Boughoula, Office of the Minister 
Colonel Mohammed Sghaier Hosni, Director of Protocol, MOD 
 
¶3. (C) SOFA: Morjane began by stating that the Ministry had 
completed its first draft response to the proposed Status of 
Forces Agreement (SOFA, reftel).  Morjane said that the draft 
was not a counter-proposal, but rather an attempt to 
summarize the discussion that Tunisian President Ben Ali had 
regarding the SOFA with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld in 
February.  Morjane said that he hoped to finalize the SOFA, 
which is in the interest of the two armed forces.  Morjane's 
staff indicated the MOD draft was now with the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs for review. 
 
¶4. (C) AFGHAN PRTS: General Hobbins highlighted the important 
role Provincial Reconstruction Teams are playing in 
contributing to the stability of Afghanistan and asked for 
Tunisian support for the PRTs.  Morjane said the Tunisia 
military participates in international peacekeeping efforts, 
but is limited by its capabilities and the desire to fall 
under the U.N. umbrella in such activities, particularly 
given "sensitivities in our region."  "We prefer countries 
where we can be seen as neutral," said Morjane, noting 
Tunisia was unwilling to contribute forces to Darfur. 
Morjane added that Tunisia will continue to help 
diplomatically, supporting a moderate position, but that "you 
may not be able to count on us on the ground."  Morjane went 
on to say that, while unwilling to provide military support, 
Tunisia could provide civilian assistance to Afghanistan, 
particularly in the areas of health and women's rights.  He 
also indicated that the GOT may be interested in sending a 
few individuals to Afghanistan.  (COMMENT: This could be part 
of a EUCOM visit to explore opportunities for civilian 
cooperation. END COMMENT.)  Morjane noted that, as far as he 
knows, the Afghan government had never formally approached 
Tunisia directly about possible assistance. 
 
¶5. (C) TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS: Turning to the military's role 
in monitoring Tunisia's maritime borders, Morjane expressed 
his shock that more than 600 individuals had been intercepted 
in the past week attempting illegal migration by sea.  Noting 
he did not know why there was such a surge in recent 
attempts, Morjane said most of the attempted migrants had 
originated from Libya.  He praised the good cooperation 
Tunisia has with Italy and Malta on this issue and said that 
he hopes to reinforce U.S.-Tunisian bilateral cooperation 
related to illegal migration. 
 
¶6. (C) COMMENT: Morjane was more forward leaning in his 
discussions with General Hobbins than he -- or other GOT 
officials -- has been in the past, particularly with regard 
 
to the SOFA and PRTs.  However, his suggestion that the GOT 
is prepared to support U.S. goals on the SOFA, PRTs or TIP 
has not been reinforced by our other contacts in the GOT. 
Post will continue to engage on these topics to determine the 
true extent of GOT interest in and willingness to move 
forward on these issues. END COMMENT. 
 
¶7. (U) General Hobbins' party did not clear this telegram. 
BALLARD