772.00/11–2951: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Bruce ) to the Department of State
3218. McBride discussed Tunisian sitn with FonOff today. Puaux who handles protectorates stated Fr Govt mtg Dec 1 prepare reply note1 released to press by Tunisian del now Paris asking for control all ministries, elected assembly and fullest participation admin posts. He said govt embarassed presence Chenik and others Paris and confidentially Quai d’Orsay displeased ResGen2 who had sent them up without consultation. He said impossible turn over ministeries to Tunisians now, especially Finance and Public Works which collect and spend respectively most of revenues over 75 per cent which come either from Paris or from Fr resident Tunisia. Likewise he said Fr protectorate cld not function with real elected assembly which voted budget for example and cld thus control admin. Insofar as Tunisian participation admin posts concerned Puaux stressed Fr Govt planning make even more extensive concessions than previously approved and believed substantial satisfaction Tunisians feasible though Fr colony Tunisia disapproved.
Points raised Tunis’ tel 33, Nov 23 to Dept3 discussed. Puaux said govt asked nothing better than to make some spectacular concession in Tunis but for above-cited reasons felt dates for elected assembly and turning over key ministerial posts to Tunisians cld not be set [Page 1422] now. Fr well aware tension Arab world and for this reason proceeding cautiously reply to Chenik.
Puaux expressed thanks our friendly interest and appreciation our helpful attitude Moroccan question UN–GA.
Desp fols.4
- Regarding the Tunisian note of October 31 under reference here, see footnote 3, supra.↩
- French Resident General in Tunisia Perillier.↩
- Ante, p. 1419.↩
- Despatch 1607, December 15, from Paris, reported upon French local (mainly public) interest in the Tunisian situation. (772.00/12–1551) It appears to be the despatch under reference here.↩