772.00/7–852: Telegram
The Acting Consul at Tunis (LeBreton) to the Department of State1
confidential
Tunis, July 8,
1952—midnight.
5. ResGen presenting reform program to Bey this morning.
On instructions from this chief, Choiseul summoned me and said:
- (1)
- Assembly debate may have been indecisive, but Hauteclocque’s policy has full unqualified support of Pinay, Schuman and Schumann.
- (2)
- No action expected for several days, but Fr think Bey will accept. Present atmosphere in Palace favorable to detente. Bey’s poor health a factor.
- (3)
- Baccouche Mins who have been informally shown Fr proposals pleasantly surprised at liberality which exceeded the expectations. Consider program real step toward internal autonomy.
- (4)
- Considerable disquietude in Fr circles, however, because of (a) consultative council on which they not represented and (b) preponderance of Tunisians in civil service appointments. Fr colons particularly incensed at former functionnaires at latter. Although both groups wield political influence in Paris, Hauteclocque does not intend let them stand in his way.
- (5)
- Neo-Destour’s intransigence based partly on incomplete knowledge but mainly on awareness that program cuts ground from under them. In order counteract favorable impression reforms sure to make, Neo-Destour has been circulating first rumors such as one now current that Fr will surround Palace with troops and tanks in order force Bey to sign.
- (6)
- Acceptance of reforms by Tunisian public opinion will mark sharp decline in Neo-Destour’s influence. Public will appreciate speciousness of UN plea. Hauteclocque believes party can play useful role as natl political party but cannot be countenanced as refuge for revolutionaries and agitators.
- (7)
- Liberal terms of reform program (abandonment of Fr parity with Tunisians in Cabinet for instance) were not made public earlier out of courtesy to Bey, but principally because Neo-Destour a dangerous enemy and important take them by surprise.
- (8)
- In utmost confidence he said all 893 remaining political detainees will be released either Bastille Day or Aidelkebir. Only those charged with crimes with then remain in custody. Bourguiba considered as special case. He cld be indicted for incitation to revolt and causing bloodshed, but present Fr policy is to leave his status quo.
- (9)
- ResGen seeks complete détente and believes similar desire exists in Palace. Harvest excellent and there is widespread desire resume normal commercial activity that has been so badly disrupted since Jan.
Comment: Choiseul obviously instructed bear down heavily on optimistic aspects of program and softpedal unfavorable features. Nevertheless, ResGen with whom I talked briefly last night gives impression of going at this with goodwill, confidence and reasonably good chances of success.
LeBreton
- This telegram was repeated to Paris, Rabat, Algiers, Tangier, and Naples.↩