772.00/3–752: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations 1

secret

329. In your conversations other dels on Tunisian case you shld take fol line:

1.
US is sure dels agree that what we all desire is fair settlement Tunisian problem.
2.
US convinced best way reach such settlement is get Fr-Tunisian negots going in good faith with object their achieving mutually satis settlement. Accordingly, all our common efforts shld now be directed that end.
3.
View present governmental situation we strongly urge others support our view that decision whether to bring up question in SC shld be held off until new Fr Govt is formed and has had reasonable brief time to orient itself.
4.
Dept believes above is a reasonable position which shld commend itself to other dels and that it will be unnecessary to go further at this time. However, shld Arab–Asians indicate that they will insist on SC mtg immed, you may inform them they will not get our support and we will abstain shld they seek to get Tunisian item placed on agenda now. You shld also make clear however this position is entirely without prejudice to what our position will be after there is a Fr Govt.
5.
If at time your conversations a Fr Govt has already been formed and is functioning, in your discretion you may add that we have been using our good offices with the Fr with a view to persuading them to make new concrete proposals.

Acheson
  1. This telegram was drafted by Elting (UNP) and cleared in draft by the offices of Bonbright (EUR) and Bourgerie (NEA). Wainhouse (UNP) signed for the Secretary. It was repeated to Paris, Tunis, and Karachi.