Cablegate: Tunisian Justice Minister On Trafficking in Persons
VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHTU #0758 2860651
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130651Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6877
INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS TUNIS 000758
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KTIP PREL KCRM KWMN PHUM SMIG TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIAN JUSTICE MINISTER ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
REF: STATE 104684
Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.
The Ambassador raised the issue of trafficking in persons
with Justice Minister Bechir Tekkari during his October 5
introductory call. Noting Tunisia's debut in the annual TIP
report, and its placement on the Tier II Watchlist, the
Ambassdor urged the GOT to increase its focus on this
compelling transnational problem. It would be particularly
important for the GOT to name a central point of contact with
whom the Embassy could discuss concrete steps Tunisia could
take to strengthen its anti-TIP regime and improve its
standing in the TIP report. Tekkari named Ministry of
Justice "Coordinator General Khemakhem" as an interlocutor
for the Embassy on the issue. The Embassy will be following
up with the GOT to discuss implementation of the workplan
conveyed reftel.
GRAY