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

772.00/4–752: Telegram

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

secret priority

Paris, April 7, 1952—7 p.m.

6159. Deptels 5923² and 5924,³ April 5, rptd Tunis 74 and 75. We have this morning shown text re Bruce–Bonnet talk contained reftel to Maurice Schumann and to La Tournelle. Bonnet’s report coincided with that in ref tel concerning major elements US position and particularly re our attitude toward inscribing Tunisian item on SC agenda in event unsatis developments in Tunisia.

Maurice Schumann said he hoped for favorable developments today, including announcement Baccouche’s cabinet and also of Tunisian members of mixed commission to negotiate on reform program. He said new cabinet should be considered as temporary admin group and that it wld consist of reliable “neutral” persons, including some officials. Tunisian element of mixed commission will be most representative; it will consist of seven members, including one from Neo-Destour, one from old Destour, one independent nationalist, a rep of Tunisian land owners, a Jew representing business activities, an important trade union official and one man of independent prestige.

Maurice Schumann stressed need for an understanding of France’s position and problem and for solidarity between Allies. He spoke emotionally of Korea and Indochina. He referred to recently published Bourguiba letters as proving Bourguiba’s deliberate plans for bloodshed and chaos.⁴ We replied by urging that French create conditions to facilitate our support and we referred again, as we have frequently done, to bad effect produced by forcible removal and confinement of former ministers. Schumann reiterated latter will be released as soon as new cabinet is formed.

Dunn

1. This telegram was repeated to Tunis.
2. Supra.
3. Not printed. It instructed the Embassy to show telegram 5923 to the Foreign Ministry at various levels, so that the French would be under no illusions regarding the U.S. view of the gravity of the situation, and there would be no opportunity for a misunderstanding of the question between the French Embassy in Washington and the French Foreign Ministry. (772.00/4–552)
4. Despatch 2711 from Paris, Apr. 11, transmitted a translation of two letters which the Embassy reported were allegedly written by Bourguiba in 1950. The letters had been printed in the French newspaper Le Figaro on Apr. 5 and 6. (772.00/4–1152)