Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Arab-Israeli Dispute; United Arab Republic; North Africa, Volume XIII

284. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State¹

New York, November 5, 1958—3 p.m.

Delga 357. Re: Third Committee resolution on refugees in Tunisia and Morocco—Deptel 422.² For Wilcox from Wise, Lord and staff.

Urge reconsideration instruction abstain on Morocco-Tunisian resolution. First day’s debate minimized political aspects and focused on humanitarian issue. Abstention will be inevitably regarded by Afro-Asians as politically motivated especially in view vigorous support U.S. gave Hong Kong refugee resolution 12th GA.³

Abstention this item will weaken USDel influence with Afro-Asians on Algerian item when it appears First Committee. Vote in support this item now will enhance effectiveness our position on proper Algerian debate both with Arabs and with French. Would put French on notice we not necessarily intend follow same line as in past and give us better bargaining power with Algerians and Arabs.

In Third Committee Afro-Asians attitude upcoming self-determination and freedom of information items will be hardened if U.S. does not support present resolution which they insist humanitarian and non-political.

French apparently resigned to loss and non-support their position by Western colleagues, and have so indicated to Dutch and others in GA.

USDel working for removal technical ambiguities in operative paragraph, i.e., “substantial scale” and “until their return to their homes”.

Wise, Lord, Phillips and staff all feel on balance we would lose more than we would gain by abstention. This first issue since Bourguiba came out unmistakeably on Western side and Arab world will be watching see what policy has gained him.

Request earliest instruction in view vote tomorrow.⁴

Lodge

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320.13/11–558. Confidential; Priority.
2. Telegram 422, November 4, instructed the delegation to abstain on a draft resolution, submitted to the Third Committee of the General Assembly in U.N. Docs. A/C.3/L.694 and A/C.3/L.694/Rev. 1, regarding aid for Algerian refugees in Tunisia and Morocco. (Ibid., 320.13/11–458)
3. U.N. General Assembly Resolution 1167 (XII), November 26, 1957; see U.N. Doc. A/3805.
4. Following further discussion between the Department of State and the Mission, the Department on November 6 authorized the delegation to vote in favor of the draft resolution. Documentation on this decision is in Department of State, Central Files, 320.13/11–558 and 320.13/11–658 and Eisenhower Library, Herter Papers, Telephone Conversations. On December 5, the General Assembly adopted without change the draft resolution, which became U.N. General Assembly Resolution 1286 (XIII); for text, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, p. 1093.