851s.00B/3–1847
The Consul General at Tunis (Fuller) to the Secretary of State
No. 208
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for such unclassified distribution as the Department may desire, a copy of a manifest1 published by the Central Committee of the “Tunisian Communist Party” (i.e., the Tunisian Section of the French Communist Party) following its adoption at meetings held on March 1 and 2, 1947. This proclamation appeared in L’Avenir de la Tunisie, the Communist weekly, as a display announcement covering much of one page, with the usual indications of the parts censored. It was reprinted in the Socialist press as a news item with no indication that it had been censored. The only difference between the two texts is the omission from the Socialist press of any mention of the Old Destour Party, with the result that the article in that press calls for the recognition of the Neo-Destour Party only.
[Page 676]One word invariably censored was “National”. Before censoring the article would have called for the election of a “National” Assembly, and for union in a “National” front.
The government permitted wide publicity to this declaration because it calls for unity with France within the French Union. The meetings of the Central Committee which adopted the proclamation may have been called in order to take such action as a move to counter the Destourians’ agitation for independence. This is another indication of the divergent paths now being followed by the Communists and Nationalists.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩