772.00/6–3052: Telegram
The Acting Consul at Tunis (LeBreton) to the Department of State1
207. Neo-Destour has circulated memo expressing Tunisian people’s alleged dismay at US position on special UNGA session Tunisian case.2 Characterizing Schuman reform program as illusory, memo recalls that it has been subject to searching analysis by reps all shades Tunisian opinion and found wanting (Tunis desp 396, June 24).3 Deplores fact that State Dept apparently determined to propound error of its position last month re SC.
Memo denies that Neo-Destour policy based on obstructionism, contending that refusal consider Fr program justified by fact that proposed reforms are inadequate and even retrograde in substance, while procedurally they are not to be negotiated but unilaterally imposed without opportunity being given Tunisians to express their opinion. Denies also that present abnormal situation based on state of siege, censorship, concentration camps, stifling of free expression of opinion. Constitutes “favorable psychological climate” for a detente as Mr. Acheson appears to think.
Copy of memo has been sent ICFTU Brussels with added comment that program will never obtain Bey’s approval.
Boudali called this morning to communicate emphatically and lengthily Tunisian disappointment at latest US stand. According him, our abstention in May given benefit of doubt as possible case of bowing to necessity; latest Gross statement, however, can only be interpreted as betrayal. Memo of conversation and comments follow by despatch.4
- This telegram was repeated to Paris.↩
- In reply to the Secretary-General’s communication regarding a special session, transmitted to USUN in telegram 517, June 26, the Department of State informed him it did not believe the special session was warranted so soon after the recent French reform proposals for Tunisia. A copy of the message was sent to U.S. missions abroad as circular telegram 1068, June 27. Documentation is in Department of State file 772.00.↩
- Not printed; it reported a group of prominent Tunisian leaders had given the Consul a paper summarizing Tunisian criticisms of the French reform program of June 19. The gist of their criticism was that the program was illusory and constituted no reform at all. The Consul commented that the Bey’s attitude was unknown, and Tunisian public opinion was not necessarily as opposed to the French program as Tunisian leaders seemed to think. (772.00/6–2452)↩
- Despatch 1, from Tunis, July 2, 1952, not printed. (772.00/7–252)↩