772.00/7–2952: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1
priority
669. Verbatim text. As Emb has seen from USUN 89 July 292 (rptd Paris 670 and Tunis 14) Dept has received communication from Ladgham Neo-Destour rep in NY re Tunisian sitn. We assume Ladgham has given this to other dels NY and may of course release it to press.
Dept will not reply directly to Ladgham since this wld appear inappropriate and give too much weight to his ltr. Nevertheless because of various misstatements fact in document Dept feels it shld be countered and allegations contained therein not allowed to pass. Accordingly we believe USUN shld convey Ladgham our comments as given below. We further believe ConGen Tunis probably shld make our views known in Tunisia and that Chedly Bey might be best point of contact but we invite Jones comment on this suggestion. Before proceeding either in NY or Tunis however Emb Paris shld show Ladgham memo and our comments to FonOff and outline our plan of action and reasons therefor as given above. However, USUN has appointment with Ladgham noon Aug 6 and unless Fr raise objection by then USUN shld proceed. Tunis shld await further instrs.
Fol are Dept’s comments:
Dept wld like comment certain statements re Tunisian question which have appeared press and have been conveyed to members our UN Delegation NY.
Neo-Destour Party seems to feel that, if implementation of reform program can be delayed until convening regular session UN, it will be easier then have Tunisian item placed on Agenda. It shld be noted [Page 792] UN Charter itself requires parties to dispute shall first of all seek solution by negot. All parties in Tunisia wld seem obliged exhaust every effort reach agreement with Fr auths before attempting refer their problem to UN for consideration. We remain convinced that effective reform program is way in which Tunisian aim internal autonomy will be reached. We do not believe obstructive attitude or refusal negot will in any sense assist Tunisian cause.
It is important that Tunisians recognize cold facts re limitations on ability of UN to help them realize their aspirations. GA debate and even res, if one is accepted, will not in themselves improve situation in Tunisia and may indeed set back possibility of achieving desirable reforms. If Tunisians are really sincere in their hope for progress toward autonomy, they will weigh carefully results of a demagogic, emotional campaign in the GA.
We have heard charge to effect Tunisian cabinet hastily adopted Fr reform program under pressure, making only a few purely formal changes. Our understanding is that Tunisian cabinet recommended at least one substantive change and Tunisian suggestions were referred back to Fr Govt for consideration. Therefore, we are unable understand references which have been made to this “hasty method” of putting reform program into effect.
We have also heard charges of continuation “armed repression” in Tunisia. In this connection Dept of State has noted recent release by appropriate auths in Tunisia of large nr of persons who were arrested some months ago.3 We hope others still under arrest may be released shortly.
There is no info available to this govt indicating that, as been alleged in some quarters, attitude Resident Gen has stiffened since failure attempt call Spec Sess GA. It is noted furthermore that some feeling exists US policy encouraging agreemt between Fr and Tunisians is in error. We regret this feeling for we had hoped and continue hope two parties in this case can reach amicable agreemt between themselves.
Finally, it has been charged that Resident Gen is considering deposition of Bey of Tunis. Answer to charge this nature, which alludes to intentions Fr Govt, is obviously matter for latter to consider. US Govt has noted, however, that Resident Gen and other Fr auths have publicly stated there is no intention proceeding agnst person of Bey.
In closing it can only be rptd that this govt still believes an arrangement between Fr and Tunisians is most direct route to goal Tunisian people wish to reach—management of their internal affairs.
- This telegram was drafted by Cyr (AF) and McBride (WE) on Aug. 1. It was cleared in the offices of Hickerson (UNA), Bonbright (EUR), and Jernegan (NEA) and signed by Bonbright. It was repeated to Tunis and USUN.↩
- Not printed; it reported a communication received from Ladgham, a representative of the Tunisians in New York. Ladgham claimed U.S. and U.K. support enabled France to keep the Tunisian question from the Security Council agenda, and Tunisians considered that action a tacit encouragement of French policy. He wanted to inform the Department of State of the recent upsetting turn taken in Franco-Tunisian relations and emphasize the dangerous repercussions if the situation continued. (772.00/7–2952)↩
- Telegram 739 from Paris, Aug. 2, informed the Department of State the decision to release Tunisian political prisoners rested with the Resident General. It confirmed that approximately 200 detainees had been released on July 14 and 100 more on July 24, with about 600 still detained. (772.00/8–252)↩