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

313. Memorandum of a Meeting, Waldorf Towers Hotel, New York, September 23, 1960, 9:55 p.m.¹

SecDel MC/73

New York, September 23, 1960, 9:55 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Discussion at Dinner Meeting of the Three Foreign Ministers—Africa

PARTICIPANTS

• US
  • The Secretary
  • Mr. Livingston T. Merchant
  • Mr. Foy D. Kohler
  • Mr. Theodore C. Achilles
  • Mr. J. C. Satterthwaite
  • Mr. Edward T. Long
• UK
  • Lord Home
  • Sir Frederick Hoyer Millar
  • Sir Harold Caccia
  • Mr. Peter Ramsbotham
  • Mr. Ewart-Biggs
• France
  • M. Couve de Murville
  • M. Charles Lucet
  • Ambassador Alphand
  • M. Pierre De Leusse
  • M. Winckler

[Here follows discussion of the Congo.]

The British Foreign Minister brought up the Algerian problem and asked how the British could help the French on this subject.

The French Foreign Minister said that France certainly would not take part in any discussion of Algeria in the UN. He didn’t know how the item would be handled in the UN but the French guessed that there would be pressure for the introduction of a resolution asking for UN supervision of a referendum in Algeria. He pointed out that of course the situation this year was much worse than last year with all the new African countries and also with a more belligerent Soviet attitude. He was not in a position to know what the new African countries, largely the ex-French colonies, would do. He knew they were tortured by their desire not to vote against France, but at the same time not to vote against Africa.

With respect to an Algerian resolution, he thought that in all probability the UN would vote favorably for one. He said the worst effect on France would be if the UN voted a resolution calling for UN intervention in Algeria. If France’s friends could prevent that kind of resolution it would help very much.

So far as France was concerned the “least bad” type of resolution would be a general resolution like the one of three or four years ago expressing desire to see the cessation of the war, calling for agreement between the parties, etc. That kind of resolution would not be too bad from France’s standpoint. Considering UN tactics, the French Foreign Minister wondered if it would be possible, in the likely event there was a resolution on UN intervention, to introduce also a general resolution and then to work to get the intervention resolution defeated and the general resolution passed by two-thirds majority or even unanimously.

The Secretary recalled last year when the French were working under the impetus of De Gaulle’s “fine” offer of September 16, 1959. He wondered if De Gaulle or the Government of France would do or say something new now as an indication that things were moving.

The French Foreign Minister said this was hard to answer. On every occasion possible since September 1959 the French officially at all levels have repeated their offer of self-determination. As a matter of fact, the French have also now gone farther and have offered an Algerian Algeria. Certainly the French position will be repeated before the UN debate.

The Secretary wondered about a de facto cease-fire arrangement.

The French Foreign Minister said a truce was another idea which really meant negotiations on cease-fire. He said there was no question that France would accept a de facto truce but FLN has rejected this. France thought this might be the solution. He was at a loss to see what was possible in Algeria. The substance of the French position is that the war should cease. After this there would be political consultation with everyone including FLN, Moslems, colons, etc. France believes this is fair. The FLN on the other hand wants recognition as the government and then have the Government of France give Algeria to them, something that the Government of France has no right to give. The future of Algeria politically depends on the votes of the Algerian people. This was the subject of the discussion at Melun. Does France recognize the FLN as the legal government of Algeria? This is something France just cannot do.

The Secretary said that the French Foreign Minister’s remarks made sense but that if this position was not stated publicly by the French France’s friends would have great difficulty in defending France’s position in the UN. Without this kind of exposition the UN will vote to “free the country”. There is so much emotion in this issue that France’s friends can’t defend France unless France states its position publicly and clearly.

There is no question but that the FLN clearly hopes France will stay out of the UN debate and the FLN will therefore be able to capitalize on the emotional issue. “It is difficult for us to explain your position if you are not participating.”

The French Foreign Minister said, “I understand. But what can be done?”

The British Foreign Minister said, “Without you, we are in trouble. We can’t win without you.”

The Secretary said this was a decision clearly up to “our French friends”. He said the U.S. wanted to help. “Couve, we want you back.”

The French Foreign Minister said there was another thing that people forgot. “We and the Algerian people are the only ones preoccupied with trying to end the war. Most of the UN countries and the FLN don’t give a damn. The war goes on, the FLN gets its monetary subsidies, and as a matter of fact it is to the FLN’s advantage to keep the war going.”

The Secretary said that the U.S. likes to cite the Cyprus situation which was hopeless until the Greeks found out they couldn’t get the UN into the act. It is parallel to the Algerian situation. The FLN must learn a similar lesson, that they are going to get nothing out of the UN but the reality is that this is an emotional issue, the African states are involved and France continues to claim Algeria as part of the Metro-pole.

The French Foreign Minister said that France doesn’t say that Algeria is part of metropolitan France.

The Secretary said that Algeria is still part of metropolitan France for NATO purposes.

Then he said, “Couve, we have made our plea”.

The British Foreign Minister said it was most important for France to say something.

The Secretary said it would be rough sledding.

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, Conference Files: FRC 83–0068, CF 1767. Secret; Eyes Only. Drafted by Long and approved by M on September 29 and by S on October 5. The location of the meeting is taken from a chronology of Herter’s participation in the 15th U.N. General Assembly. (Ibid., CF 1776) Herter and Eisenhower discussed Algeria with several foreign officials while attending the General Assembly; memoranda of these conversations are ibid., CF 1766 and 1767.