Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXIV, North Africa

290. Minutes of a Meeting of the Joint Military Commission¹

Tunis, November 9–10, 1981

Minutes of the Meetings of the Tunisian–American Joint Military Committee, Tunis, November 9–10, 1981

The Tunisian-American Joint Military Committee, organized within the framework of the friendly relations existing between Tunisia and the United States for the purpose of promoting military cooperation, met at the Ministry of National Defense in Tunis, November 9–10, 1981, under the chairmanship of Mr. Slaheddine Baly, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Tunisia, and Mr. Francis J. West, Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs).

The following members of the Tunisian and American delegations were present:

[Omitted here is the list of participants.]

After the opening session, the work of the committee was conducted in four subcommittees, as follows: first subcommittee on intelligence; second subcommittee on assistance; third subcommittee on combined exercises; fourth subcommittee on training. The membership of the subcommittees is given in Annex 1; the subcommittee minutes are found in Annex 2.

The minutes of the opening and closing sessions of the committee are given below.

Monday, November 9, 1981, 12:10 p.m.

I. Opening Session

Welcoming remarks by Defense Minister Baly

Mr. West and I take pleasure in opening the working session of the Tunisian-American Joint Military Committee. The committee was organized to promote military cooperation on a privileged basis between the United States and the Republic of Tunisia. I hope that it will be able to enhance already existing cooperation, under the direction of the Liaison Office, in the areas of training, combined exercises, intelligence exchanges, and security assistance. The competence and ability of the participants will guarantee the successful outcome of the committee’s work.

President Bourguiba is determined to equip the Tunisian armed forces to carry out their mission. The President of the Republic has met with Assistant Secretary West and discussed his concerns with him.² The present situation in the region, the drift towards destabilization, and the deliberately hostile posture of Colonel Qaddhafi are cause for concern by both Tunisians and Americans.

The Minister explained the program to equip the armed forces, and noted that Tunisia has decided to procure materiel from the United States because of its privileged relationship with that country.

President Bourguiba has discussed his interest in modernizing the armed forces with Mr. Carlucci, Deputy Secretary of Defense, Assistant Secretary West, and Senator Tower, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The sizeable 1982 FMS [Foreign Military Sales]³ credit is indicative of United States concern with respect to Tunisia. Nevertheless, the terms of repayment are too severe for the Tunisian budget, with a 13% interest rate and relatively short payment periods.

The procurement program includes 2–C130 transports, 1 squadron of F–5 interceptors; 54 M60–A3 tanks; 19 155 mm self-propelling guns; 300 Chaparral-F missiles; 65 TOW night vision devices; and various types of ammunition. The program should take into account a supplementary request for the procurement of a second squadron of interceptors.

The delivery times for this equipment are inconsistent with the urgency and imminence of the threat. I therefore request the United States Government to reconsider its position and to shorten delivery times as much as possible.

I should like to point out to Mr. West and the Committee members the Tunisian request to acquire military equipment (other than that procured on a payment basis) on a grant or lend-lease basis.

Mr. West

The Assistant Secretary of Defense thanked Minister Baly for his kind welcome and clear-sighted remarks. Secretary Haig and Secretary Weinberger are aware of the potential threat to Tunisia and welcome the formation of the Joint Military Committee, which is not meant to interfere with the excellent work being carried out by the Ministry of National Defense and the Liaison Office; its true value lies in what can be learned from that collaboration.

II. Comments of Major General Balma on the threat from the southeast:

— Introduction on Libya.

— Tunisian relations with Libya.

— The threat of subversion.

— The threat of military aggression.

See text in Annex III.

Mr. West

Commenting on this report, the Assistant Secretary of Defense noted that the United States is aware of the threat posed by Libya, acting with Soviet and Cuban support. The Aden pact,⁴ the recent assault on Guelta Zemmour by the Polisario forces,⁵ Libyan provocations in the Sudan,⁶ the weakening of Somalia, and the fighting between North and South Yemen are matters of concern. Americans rely on the efforts of their friends to counter this subversive offensive, have over the past two years helped identify the Libyan threat, share the same anxieties, and hope to consolidate efforts against any future threats through cooperation in the area of intelligence.

Mr. Baly

Concurrence in the analysis of the threat. Qaddhafi’s avowed and persistent hostility towards the Tunisian regime poses serious problems and constitutes a threat that one should guard against. Qaddhafi has stated publicly that the Libyan and Tunisian regimes cannot coexist and that the latter regime must disappear. Tunisia, with its geographic situation and its position in the forefront of the free world, is threatened. The plan of the Soviet Union, with Qaddhafi as its executing agent, constitutes a threat to the southern flank of NATO as well. The foothold being gained by Soviet power in Libya and the presence of the Soviet fleet in the Mediterranean is part of a general framework of penetration of Europe and other areas. Strong, well-equipped Tunisian armed forces can take part not merely in the defense of Tunisia but in that of the free world as well, thanks to the assistance of a friendly nation such as the United States.

Mr. West

Assistant Secretary of Defense West again thanked the Minister for his detailed presentation on the threat to Tunisia, which the United States regards as serious, and expressed certainty that a solution will be found to the danger posed by Libya and the Soviet presence in the Mediterranean. The identical viewpoints of the Americans and the Tunisians will allow the subcommittee talks to begin in a relaxed atmosphere.

III. Presentation of the procurement plans of the Tunisian Army by Brigadier General Gzara.

— Plan for modernization of army units.

— Proposed procurement from the United States.

— Minimum equipment necessary for the Armed Forces.

IV. American assistance and the status of FMS credits, presented by Mr. Rudd.

— Materiel already received under FMS credits.

— Outline of the IMET training program.

— Status of FMS contracts with the Ministry of National Defense.

— Scheduled delivery of materials already procured.

— Status of the 1982 FMS credit.

— Payment period for proposed procurement.

— Delivery schedules for future procurement.

The work was continued in separate subcommittee meetings at the end of the first session of the committee.

November 10, 1981

The Committee met at 4 p.m., in a closing session to review the work of the subcommittees.

I. Reports by the subcommittee chairmen.

1. Subcommittee on Intelligence: Major Gen. Balma.

— Perception of the Libyan threat: logical, plausible, and real.

— Means taken and to be taken to warn of an attack.

— Reaction resources.

See Annex II–1.

2. Subcommittee on Combined Exercises: Brig. Gen. Gzara.

— PHIBLEX series exercise.

— SAHEL series exercise.

— Practice gunnery at Ras Engelah and Cap Serrat.

— Low-altitude instrument navigation.

— Special Forces mobile training team.

See Annex II–3.

General Lutz

— Possibility of reducing the number of Special Forces mobile training team instructors as well as the duration of the exercise by combining the third phase into one maneuver and using Tunisian instructors.

— Housing and transport expenses to be assumed by the Ministry of National Defense.

Minister of National Defense

— A priori agreement on the proposals.

3. Subcommittee on Assistance: Col. Machta

— Timetable of the plan of development decided on.

— FMS credits anticipated for 1982–1983.

— Amendment of the tenders on the M60–A3 tanks and the M109 guns in connection with the addition of the required equipment.

— Logistical support for materiel already deployed.

— Financing of proposed procurements.

See Annex II–2.

Mr. West

— A comprehensive five-year program is a logical approach.

— It would be best to plan on the basis of a $95 million credit for 1982 with the hope of having it increased later.

4. Subcommittee on Training: Colonel Barkett

— Distribution of the 1982 IMET budget.

— Stay of the Special Forces mobile training team.

— Programming of the 1983 courses of instruction on the basis of a package of between $0.7 and $1.5 million.

— Written materials from American schools.

See Annex II.4.

General Secord

— It would be beneficial to make full use of the American Liaison Office.

— Consider the possibility of officer exchanges in the Tunisian and American Liaison Offices.

Mr. Baly

In my view, the work of the Joint Military Committee has produced positive results. This meeting was necessary for a number of reasons. It was a demonstration of mutual trust and esteem and an attempt to attain the objectives of both governments. All problems were aired, including ones that cannot be dealt with publicly. The Americans were apprised of the current situation of the Tunisian army, learned of conditions in the Sahara where units led by young officers trained in the United States are stationed, were able to assess the armament of the Tunisian army and its forward positions opposite a very active, aggressively-inclined neighbor. The atmosphere in which the meetings took place showed the special relationship between our two countries. Tunisians would rather have had economic, political, and diplomatic relations only; however, the current situation, the presence of the USSR, and the wave of destabilization throughout the world and in the North African region has forced us to look to a longstanding friend for military cooperation. The fundamental options of Tunisia are well-known. Its people’s love of peace is matched by the commitment to their independence, well-being and sovereignty. They are proud of these qualities and determined to defend their interests.

Mr. West

The Assistant Secretary of Defense thanked the Minister for his hospitality and said he looked forward to working with him in the future and to welcoming him to Washington for the next meeting of the Committee.

1. Source: Reagan Library, Geoffrey T.H. Kemp Files, Subject File, Tunisia 1981. Secret. Printed from a translation, dated November 13, prepared in the Division of Language Services, Department of State. All Annexes are attached but not printed.
2. See Document 288.
3. Brackets are in the original.
4. Reference is to the treaty signed in August among Libya, South Yemen, and Ethiopia. Documentation on the treaty is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XXII, Middle East Region; Arabian Peninsula.
5. Reference is to the October 13 battle between Moroccan and Polisario forces. See Document 386.
6. An unknown hand wrote: “Sudan.” Documentation is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XLVIII, Libya; Chad.