Tunisia has approved the deployment of American troops
as well as U.S. access to military bases in the North African state.
Officials said Tunisia has relayed agreement in principle for a small
American military presence. They said details of a U.S.-Tunisian accord were
being drafted.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Tunisia and the United States
were drafting what he termed a Status of Forces Agreement. Rumsfeld
said the agreement would enable the U.S. military to deploy and train in
Tunisia.
"That's moving along," Rumsfeld said on Feb. 11. "That would create a
situation where we would be able to do more things, exercises, and that type
of thing."
Rumsfeld conducted a three-day tour of the Maghreb region that included
Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. He reported U.S. efforts to improve relations
with all three countries that could include arms sales and expanded
training.
"We discussed the basis of the relationship," Rumsfeld said during his
visit to Tunisia.
Officials said the U.S. military has sought access to bases throughout
the Middle East and particularly in North Africa. They said the Pentagon has
determined that the Maghreb region was targeted by Al Qaida as a new
area of operations.
But the Bush administration has raised concerns over Tunisia's human
rights record and its rapproachment to Iran. Rumsfeld said he discussed both
issues during his visit.
Officials said Tunisia has participated in the Defense Department's
International Military Education Program. They said more than 3,600 Tunisian
officers and technicians have been trained through IMET since 1986.
The Pentagon has also helped Tunisia's war against Al Qaida and related
groups. Officials said the Pentagon has facilitated bilateral exercises and
special training courses as well as exchanged military and defense
personnel.
