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

403. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tunisia¹

Washington, January 24, 1959—2:38 p.m.

698. Department January 23 replied as follows to Slim query January 7 re arms:²

1. We confirmed our intention abide by commitment already made, i.e., US market was still open for Tunisian purchase needed arms in reasonable quantities.

2. However view US and UK shipments now in progress and economic uncertainties we would recommend postponement presentation new list or, if this not possible, presentation minimum list.

3. We urged GOT analyze arms needs realistically and closely in light economic impact, absorptive capacity, recruitment plans and prospects for shipments from other sources. Without wishing impose our views, we hoped GOT would accept help our military attaché³ and Embassy who would be glad examine these and other factors with GOT in hope working out logical and realistic role for US arms.

4. We asked GOT again consider seriously possibility accepting arms from France view improved relations and said this possibility would greatly reduce well known difficulties with France.

5. In order avoid any misunderstanding, we intended inform French Tunisia had told US she had further arms needs and we would confirm to French US would continue fulfill commitment to Tunisia as indicated Para one above.

Slim replied he was glad have reply in principle before presenting specific request and understood our preoccupations this field. He stated categorically there was no possibility whatever accepting arms from France so long as problems of Algeria and Bizerte remained unsettled. In response query he did not know if GOT might be seeking arms other sources than US, UK and Yugoslavia.

Embassy Tunis may convey above points to GOT. Pending discussion with French Embassy here early next week, no action should be taken vis-à-vis French.⁴

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 772.56/1–2459. Secret. Drafted by Bovey, cleared by Looram, and approved and signed for Dulles by Satterthwaite. Repeated to Paris, London, Rabat, and Algiers.
2. Slim asked Satterthwaite on January 7 if Tunisia could purchase additional U.S. arms. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid., 772.56/1–759) He also requested economic assistance, including credit to back the new Tunisian currency. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid., 772.5–MSP/1–759) A memorandum of their January 23 conversation is ibid., 772.56/1–2359.
3. Telegram 299 to Tunis, September 23, 1958, reported the Department of State had no further objections to the assignment of an Army attaché to Tunis. (Ibid., 120.162172/9–2358)
4. On January 26, Bovey informed Jacques Leprette, Counselor of the French Embassy, that the Tunisian Government had asked to buy additional U.S. arms and had stated it would not accept French arms. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid., 772.56/1–2659) The substance of this conversation was sent to Tunis in telegram 701, January 26. (Ibid.) Telegram 1059 from Tunis, January 29, reported that Ambassador Jones and Mokaddem had discussed the topic the previous day and that Jones had used the arguments in paragraphs 2 and 3 of telegram 698 to forestall Tunisian action. (Ibid., 772.56/1–2959)