772.00/2–2652: Telegram

The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Department of State

secret priority

549. Re Tunisia. Protitch (Secretariat) advised by Bokhari that Pak del plans within next few days to request SYG to circulate as SC document communications from Tunisian ministers whose passports have been invalidated by French Govt. Asian-Arab subcomite comprising Pak, India, Indonesia and Yemen delegates now preparing report for submission to full group. Bokhari told Protitch that Pak will undoubtedly request SC Pres to place Tunisian item on agenda and to call meeting in March. Date not yet agreed upon by Asian-Arab group. According to Bokhari all members of group will request right to sit at SC table. Such request would obviously raise embarrassing if not important policy question which Dept will wish to consider and concerning which we shall shortly make recommendations to Dept.

Confirming Hyde–Popper telecon, Von Balluseck who will be SC Pres in March has requested opportunity to discuss with us problems involved in connection with anticipated request for SC meeting on Tunisia.

In light of last para Deptel 4982 to Paris, Feb 22,1 we shall refrain from discussing question substantively here but assume we are expected and authorized to notify Von Balluseck of policy outlined Gadel 906, Feb 5.2

For our info only is there any prospect of resumption de facto negotiations between French and Tunisians? Has French Govt already been approached in accordance Deptel 4982 and in particular have French been advised that if issue is posed in SC US will follow [Page 682] traditional policy of not opposing discussion there?3 We are concerned lest first indication US policy in this regard might reach French indirectly through Dutch in light of anticipated discussion with Von Balluseck here.

Austin
  1. Supra.
  2. Not printed; but see footnote 6, supra.
  3. Telegram 317 to USUN, New York, Feb. 28, authorized Austin to notify Von Balluseck of the U.S. position outlined in Gadel 906 and instructed him to make it clear the United States still hoped there would be a way to avoid the SC issue through the resumption of direct negotiations between the French and Tunisians. It informed him that no report had yet been received concerning the substance of the latest talks between the French and Tunisians or the approach to the French in accordance with the instructions in telegram 4982. (772.00/2–2652)