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

333. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tunisia¹

312882.

Washington, October 10, 1985, 1825Z

SUBJECT

• Tunisians Still Smarting Over Israeli Raid.

1. (S) Entire text.

2. Secretary met briefly afternoon of October 9 with Tunisian FonMin Essebsi. Appointment had been set up prior to the October 1 Israeli raid as an opportunity to express USG support for the GOT in dealing with the threat from Qadhafi. Intervening Israeli bombing of PLO headquarters and Achille Lauro affair preempted earlier planned discussion.

2. Essebsi began by stating his distress that our friendship has been put to such a severe test as a result of the bombing in Tunis. He then went on to state very firmly GOT’s political will to continue the dialogue with USG, in spirit of friendship. Essebsi said that we must look to the future and find ways to put this event behind us.

3. Secretary asked Essebsi to relay to President Bourguiba President Reagan’s high regards and friendship. He also drew FonMin’s attention to our statements during the UNSC debate which clearly demonstrated our support for Tunisia.

4. Apart from bombing event, USG believes that Libya poses a continuing threat Tunisia which we must jointly resist. President Bourguiba knows our concern in this regard and our willingness to be helpful.

5. Escalating pattern of violence in the area is the greatest enemy of peace. We must deal effectively with terrorism or peace process will come to a halt. In this regard, USG disagrees with the Egyptian Government’s handling of the Achille Lauro incident; the terrorists should be held, tried, and penalized. It is likely that an American was murdered. The USG looks to the GOT and other governments to take a clear position that justice must be served and that these terrorists should not escape unpunished.

6. Essebsi responded that he shares our abhorrence of the Achille Lauro incident. GOT policy against terrorism has been constant, forceful. Unfortunately innocents pay the price of terrorism. Israeli attack must be seen in this context as well. Tunisia committed no violation of international law. GOT admitted the Palestinians in 1982 on the clear understanding that PLO would not interfere in internal Tunisian affairs or act against international law. Now innocent Tunisians have suffered, and, he noted testily, GOT had not received the benefit of real understanding from its friends. This has resulted in real frustration. Tunisians now are asking whether they made the right choice in pursuing friendship with the US. (Essebsi left this question unanswered.)

7. Closing on a better note, Essebsi stated that the Israeli bombing did not justify action such as the hijacking of the Achille Lauro.

Shultz

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D850724–0876. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Zweifel; cleared by Murphy, Carol Thompson, and Quinn; approved by Shultz. Sent for information Priority to Rabat, Cairo, Algiers, Rome, Tel Aviv, and USUN. Shultz summarized the meeting in an October 9 memorandum to Reagan. (Reagan Library, George Shultz Papers, President’s Evening Reading, July–December 1985)