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

772.00/10–252: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France¹

secret priority

Washington, October 2, 1952—12:42 p.m.

1891. Fr Emb yesterday afternoon urgently requested we not make known to other dels or press our proposed position on Tunisian item until after Fr Cabinet has reached decision on question Oct 7.

Emb was informed last evening this wld be extremely difficult since USUN had already informed Pakistan Del.² It was pointed out further that Amb Dunn had informed Schuman more than 24 hrs before of how we intended to proceed with press and other dels and Schuman had raised no objection at that time.

In view USUN’s conversation with BokhariUSUN obviously cld not deny it if queried by other dels. However, in desire to be as helpful as possible to Fr, Secy decided this morning on fol line.

(1) You shld not take intiative in raising question with other dels but in response to direct questions you may give other dels in confidence position as stated Deptel 1780 to Paris.³ In carrying out this tatic it is important that info be given only in response to direct questions from other dels.

(2) Info concerning our Tunisian position shld not be given to Press. In response to Press inquiries you shld say we have matter under consideration and are conferring with other dels concerning it as we are on other important items on Agenda.

In advising Fr Emb of foregoing this morning we are stressing unlikelihood that secrecy can be maintained and pointing out immediate decision by Fr Cabinet, instead of waiting until Oct 7, wld appear to be only sure way of avoiding situation which they fear.⁴

Acheson

1. This telegram was drafted by Bonbright and cleared with the offices of Sandifer (UNA), Utter (NEA), and McBride (WE). McBride signed for the Secretary, and it was repeated to Tunis and USUN.
2. USUN telegram 306, Oct. 2, transmitted an account of a conversation the previous day with the Pakistani Delegate in which a member of the Mission “in response his direct and inescapable question informed him our decision support inscription of item on agenda.” (772.00/10–252)
3. Dated Sept. 26, p. 813.
4. Circular telegram 369; Oct. 2, summarized the instructions in telegram 1891 and transmitted them to most U.S. posts for background information and for use in case the Tunisian question was raised by the Foreign Ministry. (772.00/ 10–252)