Office of the Historian

772.00/4–1152: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices1

confidential
Washington, April 11, 1952—7:05 p.m.

859. Tunisia: Use in full Gross’ statement in SC Apr 102 which defines US position on Tunis question. For present do not take initiative in linking Gross’ statement with Pt Four speeches of Pres and Acheson Apr 8–9.3 If explanation of relationship required, emphasize (a) Pres speech expresses traditional US sympathy for aspirations all people for econ advancement and polit freedom, (b) Secy analyzed problems [Page 729] which must be overcome by peoples of areas concerned to achieve these long-range econ and polit goals, and (c) Gross expressed US view, within context of broad policies outlined by Pres and SecState, that at present Tunis question best resolved through negot between parties directly concerned. SC remains open to any member of UN to bring question to Council’s attn again, in which case US Govt wld reassess situation.4

Acheson
  1. This telegram was drafted by Robinson and Hendershot (IPO/L) and cleared with the offices of Jones (NEA/P), Kirkpatrick (EUR/P), Kroll (FE/P), Allen (UNA), and Block (IPO/L). Block (IPO/L) signed for the Secretary. The telegram was sent to 57 posts in Europe, the Middle East, Far East, and Africa.↩
  2. See telegram 371, Apr. 4, p. 720.↩

  3. Regarding the President’s speech of Apr. 8, see footnote 3, p. 725. Regarding the Secretary of State’s speech of Apr. 9, a memorandum by Sanger to S. Shepard Jones, dated Apr. 10, noted that Secretary Acheson spoke to the National Conference on International Economic and Social Development on Apr. 9. The Secretary remarked, among other things, that the purpose of the Point Four Program was to direct ferment in underdeveloped countries to peaceful channels of development rather than chaos. For text of the address, see Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 21, 1952, p. 609.

    Sanger’s memorandum stated that there was some confusion about the U.S. stand on Tunisia. But, taken against the background of Gross’ statement to be delivered later that day and Under Secretary Bruce’s position in his conversation with Ambassador Bonnet on Apr. 5 (telegram 5923 to Paris, Apr. 5, p. 721), the remarks by the President and Secretary of State appeared to fit into the overall U.S. pattern. (772.00/4–1052)

    ↩
  4. At its meeting on Apr. 14, the U.N. Security Council voted on the Tunisian question. The proposal that the Council take up the question failed adoption for lack of seven affirmative votes. The vote was five in favor to two opposed, with four (U.S.) abstentions. (UN document S/PV. 576)↩