772.00/5–1352: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Department of State
810. Re Tunisia: Ladgham (rep “Tunisian del”) came at his request yesterday afternoon to discuss Tunisia. Main points he made are:
- 1)
-
Tunisians aspire to eventual full independence, reached through agreement with French, but for present will be satisfied with internal autonomy, on condition Tunisia not be part of French Union. Tunisia can never be member French Union. This he had attempted to make clear to LA’s on May 1st.
Comment: Ladgham’s explanation to LA’s as he repeated it yesterday closely follows account we had received from Gonzalez (ourtel 769, May 1)1 so far as Tunisian aversion to French Union is concerned, but is at variance with respect to matter of independence.
- 2)
- French proposed reforms are entirely unacceptable to
Tunisians as basis for negotiations since, in envisaging
French participation in and control over executive and
legislative branches of Tunisian Govt, they violate French
promise of last year to grant internal autonomy. In this
connection Tunisians’ situation is worse than it was last
January:
- a)
- At that time when state of siege was not being enforced there were newspapers, freedom of speech and communication and representative Tunisians were talking with French Govt. Today situation is completely changed in all these respects;
- b)
- From point of view of Tunisian statute, Tunisians would be worse off under French proposals than formerly since proposals sanction participation French nationals in govt, give administrative tribunal veto power, make resident general foreign minister, etc. Therefore, mention in Gross’ statement in SC indicating we consider French proposals suitable basis for negotiations has met strong objection among Tunisians.
- 3)
- Ladgham is confronted with delicate situation through activities of El Abed Bouhafa, Arab UN press correspondent who, he says, is assuming de facto leadership of Tunisians here. Ladgham hopes we will understand he, Ladgham, is only authorized rep here at present.