772.00/3–2952: Telegram

The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Department of State1

secret priority

656. Re Tunisian case. USUN this morning conferred about Tunisian case with Bokhari (Pak) who called at his request. After substance of Deptel 362, Mar 28,2 was outlined to him, Bokhari made following comments:

Arab-Asian group is “emotionally and politically committed” to raise item in SC. Following meeting on Monday, it probably will do so through note to SC President on Wednesday requesting that SC meeting be called on Thursday or Friday, probably latter. He added that delay stems in part from fact that some dels require clearance from their govts regarding language to be used in note to SC Pres.

Bokhari said he agrees completely with US objectives re French-Tunisian negotiations, believes Fr reform program has much to commend it, and that as situation stood a week ago res to be tabled by Arab-Asian group would have concentrated on value negotiations, with only one or two other minor thoughts being added. But, he continued, recent French arrests in Tunisia now raise question as to whom Fr will negotiate with and that it appears to him that “French will be sitting on both sides of table.” He observed that “British, who are a tough people” and French have resorted to such measures before and recalled how in India, Gandhi and Nehru were arrested under [Page 705] rather similar circumstances, but how, in final analysis, negotiations necessarily were conducted precisely with Gandhi and Nehru. He said he cannot believe newly appointed Tunisian leaders have any significant support from Tunisian people. He added that Arab-Asians are angered by belief that France has misused period of delay which was made possible by US recommendations, to which Arab-Asian group attaches heavy weight, in order to achieve a transient, political and tactical victory.

Bokhari also referred to French use of force and believed Bey, who is old man, had succumbed to it. He pointed out that Arab-Asian countries are highly incensed about this and that he cannot urge too strongly, as one has a deep emotional attachment to US principles and traditions, that US rep in SC state clearly that US does not condone Fr use of force. When informed that “under present circumstances US cannot support SC consideration”, he said he assumes this to mean that US will abstain on inclusion of item on SC agenda, in which case Arab-Asian move to place Tunisian case on SC agenda will be defeated. Upon being told that US will probably wish to be as quiet as possible during SC airing of Tunisian case, Bokhari hoped US will at least explain its vote and express itself on Fr resort to forcible methods, not only because of helpful effect this would have on Arab-Asian Govts and press, but also so as not entirely “to leave him all alone in SC with Jacob Malik”, whose assistance he said we would not relish.

Austin
  1. This telegram was repeated to Paris, Karachi, and Tunis. The following sentence was added to the telegram sent to Tunis: “View imminence SC consideration you shld submit on priority basis all indications Tunisian reactions recent events with evaluation reliability and follow up with any details, confirmatory or otherwise.”
  2. Supra.