772.00/3–1852: Telegram

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

confidential priority

621. From Gross. Palar (Indonesia) coming in at his request this afternoon had frank talk with me re Tunisia. He said he thought he wld help Tunisian cause, on behalf of which Indonesia and 14 other Arab-Asian States are working, by making clear to us issue as these States see it.

Palar assured me that despite govt crisis in Indonesia,1 his role is perfectly clear since all parties at home in agreement Tunisians shld have what they are pressing for i.e., “home rule.” He referred to heavy pressure this unanimity of view is placing on his del to champion Tunisian cause. He took occasion to declare that as an anti-Communist he fully appreciates need for strong US and anti-Communist Europe. He said he felt that granting Tunisian desire for home rule will add to European strength while French obstruction will weaken it and cannot be “permitted” by his govt.

He went on to say that there is division of opinion within Arab-Asian group, some desiring immediate SC action, others, including Indonesia and Pakistan, counseling patience. He considers new French Govt must have time to make clear whether it intends negotiate with view to granting Tunisians home rule. This to him is a matter of weeks, perhaps 2, certainly not months. He prefers solution through bilateral negotiations, but will move for SC action the moment he becomes convinced French do not intend bona fide negotiations. If there are negotiations and French satisfy Tunisians on some basis short of home rule, of course Arab-Asians must be satisfied too.

In this connection Palar said group here is awaiting arrival of several Tunisians, by what method he is not at liberty to say. Group’s decision on SC action will depend on their information and cables from Tunisians if there are negotiations with French.

I said we think as Palar does that best solution is through bilateral private negotiation and new govt should have time to orient itself and decide Tunisian policy. I mentioned that we have been using our good offices with French with view to their initiating negotiations on specific constructive basis. I thought it premature to discuss questions of competence, merits, etc. I asked Palar to specify what he thinks Tunisians want. He seemed somewhat troubled and answered that in Paris he knew they wanted home rule but subsequently there are indications they may be going beyond that to full independence. He repeated that Indonesia would have to support even this extreme position if French were not reasonable.

[Page 690]

In answer to my question on what basis he thought SC action would be called for by group, Palar quoted articles 34 and 35 of charter, saying there was no condemnation in mind but merely desire to get French and Tunisians negotiating. Perhaps good offices comite might be used.

Palar terminated statement his views saying he thought when and if Indonesia came to conclusion French do not intend bona fide negotiations, there wld be no difficulty in getting Asian-Arab group unanimously to move for immediate SC action.

In commenting on Yemeni role in Arab-Asian sub-comite (India, Pakistan, Yemen, Indonesia) Palar said Yemen politically inexperienced and its rep even more so. Recent statement Yemeni rep was deplorable and product this inexperience and Yemeni had “bad time” when Palar next saw him.

Austin
  1. For documentation, see volume xii.