Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

125.0081 Conferences/6–1349

The Chargé in Morocco (More) to the Secretary of State

[Extracts]

confidential

Tangier, Morocco, June 13, 1949.

No.130

Sir: [Here follow two paragraphs similar to those in despatch No. 129, supra.]

I believe that all the officers who attended this Conference found it very useful as it permitted an exchange of valuable information and personal views among a larger group of officers and covering a more extensive agenda than at the previous two conferences in Paris.

Respectfully yours,

Bolard More

[Enclosure 2]¹

North African Conference, Tangier, June 6–10, 1949

i. labor problems in french north africa

A. Appraisal of labor reporting

The importance of labor reporting in accordance with FSS 314, January 16, 1945,² as presented by the representative of the Department of Labor, was fully realized by the meeting. This is especially true today when American labor unions are fully cooperating with the Government in the present vital phase of the struggle between democracy and dictatorship. It was pointed out that labor information is frequently included in political reports. It was recognized that more systematic reporting is, of course, desirable especially concerning the background, points of view, and strengths of the North African labor movements, the personalities of the more important leaders, regular reports on such things as unemployment, industrial relations, labor and related social legislation, wage rates, and hours. While many of these subjects receive occasional treatment it was agreed that the local staffs were insufficient for the adequate fulfillment of such a comprehensive program at regular intervals, unless other work were to suffer.

It was agreed to request the Department to study the possibility of granting assistance in one form or another. However, the meeting suggested that the appointment of a regional labor attaché for Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia would be the most desirable solution if personnel and funds permit. It was pointed out that such an officer versed in labor matters and familiar with North Africa would not only make constant and useful comparisons between the three areas in addition to reporting on each component, but could also supply the political and economic officers with valuable data. It was unanimously agreed that the labor attache and political officers should cooperate intimately in view of the obvious close connections between labor problems, politics and more particularly communism.

It was agreed that copies of despatches and airgrams dealing with labor matters (as well as with any subject of general import) would continue to be sent by each North African office to the others. It was also agreed that the Embassies at Paris and Madrid should be requested to supply the North African offices with copies of papers reporting on general labor developments which could be helpful in following local trends.

B. Methods for spreading information on US labor activities

While it was considered desirable that information as to the standard of living and working conditions of American workers be distributed in French North Africa, concern was expressed that indiscriminate propaganda of this type might prove to be a boomerang and increase the dissatisfaction of native workers who have no prospect of achieving similar standards for generations to come. Furthermore, it was recognized that such injudicious propaganda would arouse the hostility of the local authorities which would charge the United States with increasing and perhaps fomenting unrest.

It was the sense of the meeting that as USIS activities develop information on the US labor movement and activities should receive distribution within such limits both as to character and value as the principal officer may deem appropriate.

C. Ways in which the State and Labor Departments may be more useful to the Offices in regard to labor matters

It was unanimously agreed that documents relative to the US labor scene would be of much greater interest if received in translated form. It was suggested that a limited and judiciously selected number of such translated papers would be of distinctly greater use than a more comprehensive selection in English. It was recognized that the distribution of such material in Arabic would be unfavorably viewed by the Residency at Rabat. The same objection, however, was not revealed at Tunis in view of the official status of a large Moslem Federation (the UGTT). In Algeria knowledge of the French language is so extensive as to render Arabic texts largely unnecessary. The Conference believed that should it be impossible to supply Arabic translations, French texts would be extremely useful everywhere in North Africa.

It was also suggested that the Office of Intelligence Research could usefully supply the North African Posts with any studies prepared on the French labor movement and more specifically on the present status of French labor organizations and their inter-relationships.

D. Influence of Communism on the labor movements in French North Africa

1. French Morocco

The communist controlled CGT is the only organized labor movement in French Morocco. Although Moslem representation is being increased in the councils of the CGT, the movement is directed by European and principally French communists.

The French authorities appear to fear communism less than nationalism. Consequently they have long opposed the formation in Morocco of Moslem labor unions. Recently a French proposal was made, but with the proviso that 50% of the officers be Frenchmen. This proviso was deplored as tending to facilitate communist infiltration in any such new movement. This French consent, however, has remained theoretical as the Sultan has refused to sign the necessary dahir.

2. Algeria

The labor movement in Algeria is considerably more important than that in Morocco, largely due to a considerably more numerous European proletariat and a larger mass of Moslem laborers with some education. The CGT, by far the largest labor movement in Algeria, is completely communist controlled. Minute Christian (CFTC) and Force Ouvrière unions exist. The development of these anti-communist federations is handicapped, however, by severe lack of funds and a corresponding shortage of organizers.

3. Tunisia

The Tunisian labor movement was found to be more complex than anywhere else in North Africa.

a) The Union Générals des Travailleurs Tunisiens ( UGTT )

This three year old purely Moslem group is both the most numerous labor movement (with about 75,000 members as compared with about 50,000 a year ago) and a political vehicle for the Neo-Destour nationalist party (while this party is tolerated it does not exist legally). It was reported that communist efforts to obtain adherents from the UGTT had been a failure and that unity of action by the UGTT with the communist controlled union (the USTT) was limited to parallel action in respect to individual strikes and to action in respect to the Paris “Peace Congress”. Both the UGTT and USTT are among the organizations which joined in the sending of a delegation to the Paris “Peace Congress” and in the formation of a post-congress committee to continue its work. The UGTT’s long-pending application for membership in the WFTU was recently accepted by the latter (after the CIO, British and Dutch unions broke away); so far the UGTT has neither repudiated nor confirmed the WFTU action. It appears to desire access to a forum in an international organization in order, if desired, to expound the Nationalist cause and it may consequently hold open for some time to come the door to that forum. It was generally agreed that this situation bears careful watching in view of the known communist skill in exploiting temporary unity for their own more permanent ends.

b) The communist controlled labor union organization (Union des Syndicats des Travailleurs de Tunisie—USTT) was reported as losing strength rapidly to the UGTT. Its current strength was now estimated as between 12 and 20 thousand (some 25 thousand less than a year ago). The cleavage between these two groups was shown lately by the UGTT’s refusal to participate in a May Day Parade with the USTT.

c) The CGT–FO (Confédération Générate de Travail—Force Ouvrière) remains of little importance, numbering only approximately 2–3 thousand members.

d) The Christian Federation of Workers (Confédération Française des Travailleurs Chrétiens—CFTC). A small labor movement which groups approximately 2–3 thousand members, essentially white collar workers and government employees.

4. Spanish Morocco and Internal [International] Zone of Tangier

There is no labor organization in the International Zone of Tangier.

Spanish Morocco does not have bona fide labor unions. Employers, employees and the Government participate in the Spanish Syndicate system. Their officers are members of the Falange and of course the communist influence is combatted forcefully and systematically.

E. Strikes

It was noted that a flurry of strikes has recently spread across French North Africa. It was the sense of the meeting that while the communists have been partially responsible, these strikes resulted also in part from genuine labor demands due to the increase in the cost of living.

ii. agriculture

The Conference noted the importance of agriculture as a factor in North African political and economic problems. While it was recognized that any fundamental alteration of existing inequalities between French and Arab agricultural enterprises is primarily a question of French policy, it was also recognized that the admittedly unfavorable position of Arab farmers could be improved through USIS and Point 4 programs. Further reference to such programs will be made later in this report.

iii. information and cultural program for the fiscal year 1950

After full presentation of the organization of the USIS both in Washington and in the North African Posts, the Conference agreed on the advisability of disseminating information concerning certain non-controversial subjects such as health, sanitary measures, education, and agricultural methods. While it was believed that information concerning the American way of life can be supplied, it was considered essential that caution be exercised. Indeed, not only do the North African populations have little chance of attaining comparable standards in the foreseeable future but such undiscriminating information would also cause complications with the French authorities who would view such activities as sources of dissatisfaction and unrest. The French would also resent and oppose any policy which could be interpreted as developing the popularity of the United States at the expense of France. It was agreed on the one hand to take a positive attitude with the local authorities endeavoring to convince them of the usefulness of our programs; on the other hand it was accepted that satisfactory relations with the French were essential to avoid systematic sabotage.

With reference to the European element in North Africa, several specific objectives were mentioned:

(a) Propaganda similar to that used in Europe in the cold war with a view to convincing the non-communist, fence-sitting elements that they should belong to and actively partcipate in the Atlantic community.

(b) In view of the wide-spread ignorance of ECA purposes and mode of operation it was unanimously agreed that means to remedy this state of affairs should be granted a high priority by the USIS.

(c) The meeting also recommended that efforts should continue unabated to expose communism and describe both ‘clearly and simply the truth about the Soviet world. It was recognized that arguments pertaining to the Russian standards of living would not be specially effective on the underprivileged Moslem masses. Nevertheless, even this aspect may be of some use as the Moslem is more likely to turn in his own interest towards the wealthier and more powerful group of nations. It was also thought that stress of the difference between Soviet claims and actual worker conditions in the USSR would serve a useful purpose.

As to media it was generally felt that in addition to the press, motion pictures would be very effective in view of the high illiteracy among the Arabs. Literature in Arabic was deemed necessary for Morocco where very few Moslems speak French. In Algeria, however, it was noted that French was nearly universally spoken and that the rate of literacy in French was approximately the same as in Arabic. Tunisia was found to occupy an intermediate position. It was also believed that Arabic translations of certain well-selected books would be highly useful among educated Moslems. Special mention was made of “I Chose Freedom”, the Arabic edition of which appeared unfortunately to be exhausted. It was noted that the agreement with the French concerning the Tangier relay station limits our USIS radio activities from Tangier, which post, however, is not technically adapted to broadcast in the French North African area. It was ascertained, however, that Egyptian short wave broadcasts were received thus presenting the possibility of USIS material being broadcast from Cairo to North Africa. It was recommended, however, that no material be used of a nature which would obviously be irritating to the French.

iv. president’s point four program in north africa³

The meeting was interested to receive information on the Point Four Program and to learn of its relationship to the other foreign economic and cultural development activities undertaken by the U.S. Government. It was pointed out that the primary objective of the Economic Cooperation Administration was the economic rehabilitation of Western Europe insofar as possible prior to June 30, 1952, whereas that of the Point Four program concerned problems of wider scope (social welfare, education, health, etc.) and longer range. It was further stated, however, that ECA, because of its interest in economic stability after 1952 is also interested in the economic development of dependent areas and thus in certain cases would have concurrent interest in the health, welfare, educational, agricultural and other economic activities, of the Point Four Program. One example of such concurrent activity might be the Thomas Campbell Wheat Plan (Appendix A).⁴

It was understood by the Conference that Point Four is still in the formative stage and that recommendations concerning development programs from officers in the field would be welcomed by the Government agencies responsible for its administration and coordination. It was further understood that the relationship of the Point Four program to the United Nations was under discussion and the opinion was expressed that the implementation of the program in French North Africa would, perhaps, be easier under UN auspices than under US auspices because of the sensitive French attitude toward US activities in North Africa.

It was understood by the Conference that the major portion of any fund appropriated for the Point Four program would be used for technicians who would assist dependent areas in projects designed to improve living conditions in order to encourage investment in those areas. Initiative and self-help are expected from the interested countries (for example: France in the case of FNA).

Since the Point Four program is an integral part of American foreign policy the desire was expressed that officers in the field should be kept informed as much as possible so that they may be of maximum assistance. It was believed that the Tangier International Zone would offer a good starting point for the implementation of the program in North Africa. There is at present in the International Zone an anti-tuberculosis drive which is receiving the enthusiastic support of the Zone’s Administrator and of the eight European powers represented in Tangier. It was also suggested that if experimental farms are contemplated under the program, it would be far easier to obtain local support in Tangier than in the other Zones of Morocco, Tunisia or Algeria.

v. economic problems in north africa

After an extensive review of economic reporting by the officers representing the reporting activities in the Departments of State, Agriculture, and Commerce, and by the field offices, various specific economic problems were considered.

A. Present policy in French North Africa with respect to investments of American private capital

1. Morocco

It was found that theoretically opportunties exist for American private capital more particularly in the extractive industries. It was reported that the policy of the Residency called for equal participation by Moroccan, French and American (or any other nationality) capital. This policy, however, was described as being flexible and mention was made of the recent agreement between the Newmont Mining Corporation and Zellidja which provided for 49% American participation.

The meeting concluded that the only definite policy forbids control of an important local corporation by other than French interests.

2. Tunisia

Investment possibilities in the Regency were found to be less extensive at the present time than in Morocco, even though it was recognized that this situation might be radically altered should the currently planned oil exploration and exploitation contracts be signed and exploration yield positive results.

The policy as to corporate control was found to be more liberal in Tunisia where the Gulf and Shell companies recently established prospection subsidiaries in which control did not rest with the French. However, this policy cannot be accepted as firm in view of the political storm which this provision created in Paris, a result of which the draft agreements between the oil companies and the Regency have not yet been signed.

3. Algeria

Investment possibilities in Algeria were described as most limited. As Algeria is part of Metropolitan France the same financial and fiscal policies obtain. French policy with regard to corporate enterprises in both Metropolitan France, Algeria, and the overseas territories calls for French control. It was also realized that a contrary policy would cause suspicion and protest among Frenchmen of ail political opinions still afraid of foreign designs on their overseas domain.

It was the unanimous opinion of the Conference that France’s insistence on French control constituted one of the main obstacles to extensive private American investments in North Africa.

Another deterrent was described as being French fiscal control which prevents the transfer out of the franc area of profits. The hope was expressed that such control would be relaxed as France’s rehabilitation proceeds. However, there were several indications that the French authorities are willing to allow such remittances in kind (more particularly in the extractive industries). For the time being at least, individual negotiations are necessary in each case.

B. Administration of ECA program and of counterpart funds and advisability of assignment of an ECA representative

While recognizing that the bilateral ECA agreement has defined the term “France” as including inter alia the three North African entities, it was the unanimous opinion of the meeting that allocations of ECA funds (both dollars and counterpart) should be segregated for each area. It was also recommended that the North African offices be kept informed currently of such allocations in order to facilitate local reporting on “end use”.

While fully aware of the personnel difficulties confronting the ECA Mission to France and while anxious to follow as closely as possible the “end use” of ECA assistance, all officers present recommended that an ECA representative from Paris visit the North African posts at regular intervals. It was also recommended that the same official be intrusted with this responsibility over a period of time as his usefulness and efficiency should increase as his familiarity with the area and its problems develops. In view of the limited amount of information concerning all phases of ECA it was recommended that the above representative act also as a liaison officer and come specially prepared to discuss all latest ECA problems with the principal officers. It was urged that ECA officials other than the North African representative above-mentioned, who may visit the area, call at the Consular offices and volunteer whatever information they may be able to impart.

It was found that in general little if anything is known in North Africa (in French as well as in Moslem circles) about ECA, its methods and its purposes. As reported in the USIS section of this paper, it was unanimously recommended that the dissemination of such information receive a high priority among the objectives of the USIS program.

In order to assist the officers in the field the following requests for specific material were made:

1. The mimeographed weekly bulletins “Aide Américaine à la France” from ECA (Paris) should be distributed. It was also suggested that local USIS offices obtain material from ECA (Paris) and prepare bulletins for each country for distribution to individuals as well as to the press. Perhaps less technical and more popular appeal might be stressed in such papers. The “Aide Americaine a la France” has been found to be extremely educative and valuable in combatting communist propaganda in Army circles.

2. In view of past experience it was found that the French Government in Paris should issue instructions to the French Residents General and Governor General to the effect that ECA representatives are authorized to make such checks as they deem necessary in the operation of that program in the territories concerned.

Due note was made of the request of the ECA Mission (Paris) that the officers in North Africa report freely any comments which they may care to formulate concerning local use of ECA assistance. It was also noted that ECA (Paris) has asked for recommendations regarding projects believed to be worthy of ECA consideration.

vi. consular and administrative problems in french north africa

A. Housing

A brief description of the housing conditions at each of the several posts in French North Africa was furnished. There was unanimous agreement that housing conditions present a very serious morale as well as functional problem. Tangier is the only post in French North Africa where sufficient apartments or houses are available for the staff, due to very recent improvements in the housing situation. There has been a great deal of correspondence between the field offices and the FBO (Paris), as well as FBO (Washington). The absence of results from the principal officers’ efforts to solve this serious problem was deplored. There was general agreement that the housing problem has not received sufficient consideration from the authorities responsible for the adoption and implementation of an FBO program in French North Africa and that American representation in FNA will continue to be handicapped until appropriate action is taken Hope was expressed that the Department would take immediate decisions and inform the officers concerned.

B. Security

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C. Possibility of personnel in Algeria and Tunisia benefiting from Tangier exchange rate

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

D. Greater incidence of criticism and evaluation by Department of reports and despatches from field

The meeting was in unanimous agreement that criticism and evaluation of despatches and reports had in the past proved of great assistance to the drafting officers. It was felt, however, that if at all possible, more reports and despatches should be evaluated and the field informed of such evaluation more promptly.

1. Enclosure 1 was the same as enclosure 1 to despatch No. 129, supra.
2. Not printed.
3. For related documentation on the Point Four program, see vol. i, pp. 757 ff.
4. Not printed.