US embassy cable - 05TUNIS1934

C O N F I D E N T I A L  TUNIS 001934 
 
 
STATE FOR NEA/MAG - WILLIAMS, LAWRENCE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015 
TAGS: MARR, PGOV, TS 
SUBJECT: NEW MINISTER OF DEFENSE WELCOMES STRONG BILATERAL 
TIES 
 
REF: A. TUNIS 1812 
     B. TUNIS 1805 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM HUDSON FOR REASONS 1.5 (b) AND (d) 
 
1.(C) SUMMARY. During a courtesy call with the Ambassador on 
August 31, new Tunisian Minister of Defense Kamel Morjane 
(reftels), citing common concerns, highlighted his intention 
to continue the long tradition of close bilateral military 
cooperation with the United States. He stated that the GOT is 
positive about concluding a SOFA and that he would look into 
the possibilities of GOT security assistance to Iraq. Morjane 
said that one of his priorities is aviation to control 
Tunisia's borders against terrorists, but that he was still 
familiarizing himself with his portfolio. END SUMMARY. 
 
SOFA/IMET/FMF 
------------- 
 
2. (C) Despite having only ten days of experience in the 
position, Morjane seemed well-briefed on Tunisia's military 
relations with the United States. Morjane was aware of 
September's planned Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) 
discussions and said that, although Tunisia has some 
questions, the GOT will work with the U.S. to conclude a 
SOFA. He noted "this is the type of relationship we should 
have." Regarding the West Point Instructor Exchange, the 
Minister said that there was an agreement; however, Tunisian 
participation was hindered by financial concerns. The 
Ambassador confirmed USG commitment to identifying a 
solution. He also encouraged Morjane to work with Tunisian 
Ambassador to Washington Nejib Hachana to reach out to 
Washington decision makers to gather further support for 
Tunisian-American military cooperation. Morjane recognized 
the value of Ambassador Hachana's efforts "on the Hill" and 
said he would be in touch with Hachana immediately. The 
Minister also added that he was aware of the U.S. interest in 
Sahel security issues and that he personally had a great deal 
of experience in Africa from his UN work, most recently as 
Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. 
 
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION/IRAQ 
------------------------------ 
 
3. (C) Citing Tunisia's history of participating in 
peacekeeping operations, and his own UN experience, Morjane 
said that President Ben Ali was considering how Tunisia could 
reinforce international peacekeeping efforts. Tunisia's 
reputation as a neutral, peaceful country makes it a logical 
participant; however, financial issues sometimes constrained 
its contributions. In response to the Ambassador's question 
about Tunisia's support for Iraq, Morjane said that the GOT 
had not trained Iraqi police or security forces. The 
Ambassador repeated Morjane's comment that Mediterranean 
countries send officials for military training in Tunisia and 
said that he thought there was a positive role Tunisia could 
play in supporting Iraqi security and stability. Morjane said 
that the GOT was concerned about the Iraqi security situation 
and that he would follow up on this point with the Ambassador 
when he was more familiar with the Tunisian position. 
 
GOT PRIORITIES - SECURITY AND COUNTER-TERRORISM 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
4. (C) Morjane said that he was still reviewing his new 
portfolio and that his only prior defense experience was 
working on peacekeeping issues. However, two of his first 
priorities are aviation and security. On the latter, he 
commented extensively on the risks for cross-border 
terrorists and the regional environment. That said, Tunisia 
is a peaceful country and will continue its efforts to 
maintain a small but modern army that takes into 
consideration the regional environment. To date, the Minister 
said he has found the Ministry of Defense to be very well 
organized. Morjane explained that President Ben Ali was one 
of the first world leaders to focus on counter-terrorism, at 
a time when Western leaders did not understand. Today, said 
Morjane, we recognize that his efforts were visionary, and 
security remains the President's key focus. The GOT will 
continue to focus on security issues and cooperation with 
those who support these efforts, because "we can't achieve 
stability and freedom" without security. 
 
5. (C) COMMENT. Morjane speaks fluent English and appears 
favorably inclined towards the U.S. He also highlighted his 
positive personal relationships with a number of USG 
officials during his years with the United Nations (see ref b 
and para 6 bio information). It was clear that his past UN 
experience gives him a much broader view of international and 
bilateral relations than his predecessor and that he is 
likely to be an ally for the USG in Tunisia. END COMMENT. 
 
6. (U) Bio data: Morjane explained that he studied briefly in 
Wisconsin in 1985. In 1989, he started the MFA institute for 
the training of new diplomats and served as the institute 
director. In 1996, President Ben Ali named him the Tunisian 
Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. 
Morjane said that in 2003 he was considered for the position 
of Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Iraq 
and sought President Ben Ali's permission for this mission, 
before Sergio Vieira de Mello was named. After de Mello's 
death, Morjane said he was again asked to serve in Iraq but 
uncomfortable given the security concerns. 
 
 
HUDSON