Editorial Note
Despatch 50 from USUN, July 23, transmitted a note from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, informing the Department of State that he would not call a special session of the General Assembly to consider the situation in Tunisia. The Secretary-General’s note, dated July 21, stated that since the requisite majority of members had not concurred in the request for the special session, the Secretary-General would take no further action on that request. Also transmitted was a note by the Secretary-General listing the replies on the special session, the date on which each was received, and the position taken by each country. Ten members, besides the original 13 making the request, concurred; the 29 other countries who replied did not concur. (772.00/7–2352)
A memorandum by Byington (WE) to Perkins and Bonbright (EUR), dated July 22, stated it seemed obvious that the question of Tunisia would almost certainly be raised at the Seventh Regular Session of the General Assembly in October. The memorandum suggested it would be desirable to have the French agree to put Tunisia on the [Page 785] agenda at that time, and the United States should make every effort possible to overcome French reluctance. Attached to the memorandum was a suggested draft statement to be used for that purpose. A memorandum by Perkins to Byington, dated July 25, agreed that the United States should try to persuade the French to agree to including Tunisia on the agenda. It concluded, however, by disagreeing with the idea of the draft statement. (UNP files, lot 59 D 237, “Tunisia: Memoranda of Conversation, 1952–54”) Telegram 80 from USUN, July 24, reported it was likely that enough support would be forthcoming to put the Tunisian case on the agenda in October. (772.00/7–2452)
On July 20, the 13 countries that had requested the special session on Tunisia wrote to the Secretary-General and proposed that the Tunisian question be included in the agenda of the next regular session. A copy of the letter is in the background book on Tunisia in the IO files, lot 71 D 440, “7th GA, Tunisia.” The concluding paragraph of the letter stated that the question was being referred to the General Assembly so that a just and peaceful settlement might be achieved. The letter was transmitted as an enclosure to USUN despatch 100, August 5. (772.00/8–552)