Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 1

772.00/1–2552: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Department of State¹

secret

Paris, January 25, 1952—5 p.m.

4449. Embtel 4388, Jan 23, rptd Tunis 83, London unn.² FonOff official in charge Tunisian affairs gave us today fol appraisal Tunisian sitn:

1. Fr Res Gen Hauteclocque had “exhausting” two-hour talk with Bey yesterday, which from Fr viewpoint was made difficult by presence throughout conversation Tun PriMin Chenik, four other Tun mins and Bey’s son. At outset conversation Bey, “like boy repeating lesson from memory,” asked for release of Bourgiba [Bourguiba].³ Res Gen’s impression was that this request made in manner of Arab bargaining in market place. After brief inconclusive discussion this point, Res Gen asked that Bey make public appeal for restoration peace and order. Bey declined to do so, but authorized Res Gen to issue such appeal in name of Bey. Res Gen broadcast appeal, indicating he was doing so in agreement with Bey, but unlikely that Tunisians wld believe that Bey had concurred. Res Gen again asked two Tun mins Paris be recalled and appeal to UN be withdrawn. Long and exhausting discussion followed without results, but Res Gen had impression that, due Fr firmness and efforts restore order and lack of success to date by Tunisians in effort obtain UN action, Bey and mins wld study question further. Res Gen pointed out further discussions cld not take place until order restored and Tun mins here recalled.

2. As reported in press, Fr Govt is sending reinforcements to maintain order and stability. Tun sitn which originally one of demonstration and disorder is moving toward character insurrection though not of mass proportions which apparently not desired by Tunisians.⁴ While FonOff of opinion that to negot with Chenik and present mins wld be taken as sign of weakness, this is polit decision which must be taken by Council Mins. Council mtg today and, although it not expected take such decision today, sooner or later it may be forced to do so. Inconceivable that Bourgiba [Bourguiba] cld be released under present circumstances although he probably wld be released if order restored and conversations resumed. There wld, however, be no question of making release prior condition to such action. Hauteclocque endeavoring obtain “green light” on his actions and result is Council Mins making most of important decisions.

Bruce

1. This telegram was repeated to Tunis, London, Tangier, and Rabat.
2. Not printed; it reported on a statement by the new French Prime Minister, Edgar Faure, to the National Assembly on Jan. 22 regarding French policy on Tunisia. (651.72/1–2352)
3. Paris telegram 4268, Jan. 18, reported the Foreign Ministry had instructed the Resident General to expel Bourguiba and a dozen other Neo-Destour leaders from Tunis to provincial villages because Bourguiba had appealed to Tunisians to revolt. Paris telegram 4297, Jan. 19, reported the French Government said it had received generally favorable reports from Tunis in reaction to measures taken by the Resident General, especially the arrest of Nationalist leaders. Documentation is in Department of State file 651.72.
4. Telegram 94 from Tunis, Jan. 25, reported that French officials tended to dismiss the current unrest as mere local disorders caused by nonpolitical groups, rather than an insurrection. But the Consul General suggested such an interpretation did not coincide with accumulating evidence of French concern at the serious nature of the local situation. He also reported that French officials with whom he had talked were either unable or unwilling to give any information on the meeting the previous day between the Resident General and the Bey. (772.00/1–2552)