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

286. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Northern African Affairs (Porter) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Penfield)¹

Washington, January 15, 1959.

SUBJECT

• U.S. Position in UNHCR Executive Committee on Assistance to Algerian Refugees

I understand a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Refugees, of which you are a member, has been called by Mr. Hanes for January 19. The above subject will be one of the agenda items, and a paper similar to the attached draft “Memorandum for the Record” will be circulated as the basis for discussion.²

We in AFN have followed the Algerian refugee problem quite closely and believe the draft paper, with its suggested U.S. position, is a reasonable and fair document. EUR, which is, of course, the bureau most apt to turn this discussion into a problem, so far has been most reasonable on the overall subject. We understand their only complaint on this document—to date—is to the effect that recommendation #5 should be amended to provide that prior discussions take place with interested governments rather than delegations. We have informally concurred with this idea on the theory that if the French are going to be difficult or if the Tunisians have any surprises in store, the U.S. is better off knowing the true situation as much before the meeting as possible.

The Tunisians have not made a great display out of the refugees and have been relatively undemonstrative about the assistance we have given to date. However, there is no doubt that the GOT is extremely concerned about the possible threat the refugees could pose if they became truly discontented and is grateful for our aid. The number of refugees is quite large in comparison with the Tunisian population and the FLN, we believe, is helping supervise the major refugee groups. GOT officials seem to have the situation in hand. But if major disorders erupted, a definite possibility would exist for an open clash between the FLN and GOT troops, with all the additional uproar this would create in the Maghreb. A U.S. contribution of $250,000, plus the endorsement of a wide appeal for assistance from other countries, seems a small price to pay if it will maintain order among these homeless people—plus reducing the amount of suffering they undeniably are undergoing.

Attachment

Washington, January 13, 1959.

Draft Memorandum for the Record³

SUBJECT

• U.S. Position in UNHCR Executive Committee on Assistance to Algerian Refugees

On January 13, 1958 representatives of WE, W/MSC, AF, OES and ORM held preliminary discussions on the U.S. position on the question of UNHCR assistance to Algerian refugees in Tunisia and Morocco scheduled for discussion at the First Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Program. The following factors were considered:

[Here follows background information on the situation.]

After discussing the above factors, it was agreed that the U.S. position should include the following:

1. that the question of eligibility for Algerian refugees should not be discussed by the Executive Committee. The High Commissioner has already made such determination which has been generally substantiated by General Assembly Resolution 1286 (XIII);⁴

2. that the Executive Committee should take note of General Assembly Resolution 1286 and in implementation thereof authorize the High Commissioner to appeal for funds from governments for humanitarian assistance to Algerian refugees eligible under his Mandate (failure to authorize an appeal would probably result in the U.S. being the only contributor. Moreover, it is anticipated that Tunisia will insist on at least an appeal);

3. that should the question of the High Commissioner’s 1960 program arise, the U.S. delegation should assume that assistance to Algerian refugees will be continued as a separate chapter in the UNHCR plan of operation for 1960;

4. it is most important that assistance to Algerian refugees be approached strictly as a humanitarian measure and that any political interpretation or connotation be avoided;

5. every effort should be made to smooth the way for this plan by prior discussions with other interested delegations and, if possible, with the Tunisian Government.

1. Source: Department of State, AFN Files: Lot 65 D 178. Confidential. Drafted by Buckle and cleared by Dolgin. The source text bears Dolgin’s handwritten notation to Penfield: “J.K.P. Mr Satterthwaite signed the program approval for the $250,000. W/MSC now trying to find the money.”
2. Not found.
3. Confidential. Drafted by Lawrence.
4. See footnote 4, Document 284.