397. Editorial Note
On August 25, Foreign Minister Mokaddem gave Ambassador Jones a response to President Eisenhower’s July 22 and August 2 letters to President Bourguiba, noting that Bourguiba had drafted the message personally. (Despatch 173 from Tunis, August 29; Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/8–2958) Regarding Eisenhower’s letters, see Document 393.
Stating he wrote as one who embraced Western values and wished to see them endure, Bourguiba addressed Soviet influence in the Near East, attributing its increase to vestiges of Franco-Anglo colonialism in the region. The United States had too often appeared to share these imperialist views, had responded too slowly to the Soviet challenge, and had scattered efforts to combat it among too many countries. The West could still defeat Soviet domination, but a purely military response was no longer sufficient. Bourguiba suggested Western leaders meet periodically to consider a unified response to the psychological and political situations they faced. He ended his letter by requesting Western support for Algerian independence. (Despatch 173 from Tunis)
An informal translation of Bourguiba’s letter was sent to the White House on September 3. (Memorandum from Howe to Goodpaster; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File) On September 13, Satterthwaite sent Herter a suggested reply to the letter, stating it had “been drafted with a view to being as friendly and responsive as possible” but “without conceding the validity of his arguments on the first two points. With regard to Algeria, it is hoped that the comments made will enable President Bourguiba to reinforce his counsels of moderation to the Algerian National Liberation Front.” (Department of State, Central Files, 611.72/9–1358) Herter sent the suggested response and a formal translation of Bourguiba’s letter to Eisenhower on September 18. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File)
Eisenhower’s September 22 letter to Bourguiba agreed that “one of the most important tasks facing us all is to make clear the moral values and principles on which our free institutions are based.” Concentrating U.S. aid in a few countries would have required neglecting “other countries whose needs were equally great.” Although “most interesting,” Bourguiba’s suggestion for regular meetings to discuss political and psychological strategies might “undermine important existing means of international cooperation.” The United States would continue to do everything it could to contribute to the solution of the Algerian problem, but would be less able to influence further developments if it took “a partisan position” on the issue. Eisenhower thanked [Page 858] Bourguiba for his letter, praising “the moderate, constructive and helpful role you and your country are playing in these troubled times.” (Ibid.)
Ambassador Jones delivered the letter on October 3. After reading its French translation, Bourguiba said, “I am pleased and proud to receive this letter. You will note he had studied my letter and that he answered all my main points. I greatly value this correspondence.” (Telegram 478 from Tunis, October 3; ibid., Staff Secretary Records, International Series)