772.00/9–2352: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1
2102. London from Secy for Bruce, Perkins, and Dunn.2 I feel it is now necessary to decide how we will handle problem of making known our decision to vote to inscribe Tunisian question on GA agenda. Bruce and Perkins saw before their departure statement prepared by NEA and EUR3 which it was proposed to issue now after informing Fr (text being telegraphed). Fol procedure is now proposed as alternative to issuance of a statement (question is on alternative procedure and not on text of statement).
- “1. We have decided vote to inscribe Tunisian item UNGA agenda and wish so inform Fr before communicating US position to anyone else.
- 2. Our reasons for decision to vote for inscription are:
- a)
- Present situation unlike that in spring when we abstained on SC consideration Tunisian item because Fr were in process preparation reform program. Bey has now rejected Fr proposals and negots appear at standstill despite Fr efforts. Accordingly there no longer exist same objections to inscription this item on agenda.
- b)
- We feel that item will be inscribed regardless Fr attitude or US stand for that matter, and if we vote for inscription we will then be in best position assist Fr thereafter.
- 3. Our decision to vote for inscription relates only to procedural aspects Tunisian case and represents no comment on substance thereof. As Fr are aware, we consider GA has competence to consider this question. We gather Schuman’s personal idea (Paris tel 1711)4 is to reserve Fr position on competence and make strong affirmative speech [Page 813] outlining Fr program for Tunisia. We think this an excellent idea and if Fr follow this procedure, it wld enable us to support them more fully and to oppose condemnatory or other harmful resolutions.
- 4. We are not planning any official public declaration of our decision.
- 5. We will inform interested dels who my inquire along lines of points 2a and sentence 1 part 3 above and will plan similarly answer press inquiries which may be anticipated when our decision communicated UN Dels NY. It shld be stressed Dept will take no initiative in presenting its views but will give them only in response to queries.”
I would much appreciate your views soonest on foregoing so that suitable instr can be sent Dunn for discussion with Schuman. If you recommend that some explanatory statement should be issued now I would welcome your views as to what it should contain.
- This telegram was drafted and signed by Jessup (S/A). It was cleared by Sandifer (UNA), Bonbright (EUR), and, in substance, with Byroade (NEA) and the Secretary. It was repeated to Paris and Tunis.↩
- Bruce, Perkins, and Dunn were in London for the London Chiefs of Mission Conference. For documentation, see volume vi.↩
- See the memorandum, dated Sept. 16, p. 810.↩
- Supra.↩