US embassy cable - 05TUNIS1128

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001128 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/MAG (LAWRENCE) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2015 
TAGS: PREL, TS 
SUBJECT: TUNISIA: REGIONAL SUPPORT FOR ADVANCING THE PEACE 
PROCESS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 97599 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William J. Hudson; Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) 
 
1. (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 
aggressively on these issues and requesting Tunisia's support 
and leadership.  The Ambassador noted, for example, that both 
President Ben Ali and Minister Ben Yahia had talked to US 
representatives about re-opening the Israeli interest section 
here.  He asked Tunisia to move forward and re-establish that 
relationship this year. 
 
2. (C)  Chtioui said the GOT agreed that the window for quick 
progress in the peace process was now open but would not stay 
open long without positive steps from the Israeli side to 
consolidate Abbas' leadership and give him something to show 
for his cooperative approach.  Tunisia and "all Arab 
governments" think Abbas is a good man and a good leader and 
should be supported, but he might not last if he cannot 
demonstrate that his approach delivers results soon.  The 
process must be speeded up.  The Ambassador noted that one 
way to speed up the process would be to open Israeli 
interests sections, and Tunisia should show leadership in 
this.  Chtioui said that it was not the right time for that, 
and that "we should see some progress first." 
 
3. (C) The Ambassador asked if Tunisia thought Israeli 
disengagement from Gaza would change the dynamic in the peace 
process.  Chtioui said it would be seen as a very positive 
step, but that it should only be considered as one step in 
implementation of the road map.  The Ambassador reminded her 
that President Bush had made it clear that that was the U.S. 
policy, too, and said that we hoped Gaza disengagement would 
launch further progress on the road map.  Chtioui replied 
that implementation of the road map must move more rapidly. 
She also noted that Abbas' first stop after his current U.S. 
and Canada visit is to be Tunisia.  She said that Abbas 
himself says that he is under "Tunisian influence and 
respects our President," and that Tunisia would "be in the 
front, even encouraging other Arab countries (regarding 
re-establishing ties with Israel)" if clear progress were 
made toward helping him. 
 
4. (C) An aside: Regarding the Arab League boycott, Chtioui 
noted twice that this is "an old story" for Tunisia and that 
the country was long beyond that.  She made no comment 
regarding closing the boycott office, however. 
 
3. (C) Comment: Tunisia is genuinely interested in helping 
Abbas succeed and would probably be among the first to 
welcome the Israelis back.  Tunisia will not be the first, 
however, at least not without other Arab or Arab League 
cover.  They will not buck the Arab consensus that 
"rewarding" Israel depends on "positive Israeli steps" in the 
peace process. 
HUDSON