Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 1

772.00/9–2652: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France¹

secret

Washington, September 26, 1952—7:14 p.m.

1780. For AmbDunn. Pls inform Schuman as follows:

1. After most careful consideration we have decided to vote to inscribe Tunisian item on agenda of 7th GA and are informing Fr before making known our views to anyone else.

2. Our reasons for this decision are:

(a) Situation in Tunisia is unlike that which existed last spring when we abstained on consideration of same item. At that time Fr Govt was about to present a reform program to Tunisians. Now, however, Bey has rejected Fr project and negots appear to be at standstill despite Fr efforts. Accordingly we no longer feel same objection to inscription of this item exists.

(b) We think Tunisian item will be inscribed on General Assembly agenda no matter what position either Fr or US takes. We feel that we can be more influential in actual consideration of problem in GA if item has not been inscribed over our opposition or abstention.

3. As Fr Govt is aware, we consider GA has competence to discuss this question. We have been informed that FonMinSchuman’s personal view is that Fr shld reserve her position on competence, and make a strong affirmative speech outlining Fr program in Tunisia. We think this is an excellent idea and that if Fr follow this procedure it will enable us to support them more fully and to oppose more effectively harmful or condemnatory resolutions. Frankly, the degree of our support will depend almost entirely on strength of their case.

4. On substance of question we will reiterate as appropriate in GAthat this remains in our view essentially a bilateral problem, as was stated by us last spring. We will add that we continue to hold view that only direct negots between Fr and Tunisia can lead to settlement. GA discussion will contribute to a solution between the parties only if debate is temperate and uninfiammatory and that for our part we will do everything we can to bring about that kind of discussion.

5. In discussing substance of question in GA we will also state that we continue to support aspirations of Tunisian people towards greater measure of self-govt. We considered reform program recently presented by Fr govt to Bey of Tunis as reasonable basis for commencement of negots.

6. Sole interest of US in this question is a solution that is satisfactory to Fr and to Tunisians. Accordingly we feel that all friends of two countries shld do everything within their power to facilitate resumption of talks between two parties. We believe that Tunisian development can only be facilitated by continuing cooperation between France and Tunisia.

7. US is planning no public statement of its position, but will respond to press inquiries and to inquiries from interested delegations in New York along general lines of foregoing (omitting paras 2b and 3).

8. Pls inform Dept as soon as you have acted. USUN shld take no action until informed that Paris has acted.

Acheson

1. This telegram was drafted by Bonbright (EUR) and Hickerson (UNA) and cleared by Acheson and Jernegan (NEA). It was repeated to USUN, London, and Tunis.