320/10–1352: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dunn) to the Department of State1
secret
priority
Paris, October 13, 1952—7
p.m.
2267. Binoche FonOff tells us (re Deptel 2082 Oct 102 rptd London 2569 USUN 167):
- 1.
- Fr hope inscription Tunisian and Moroccan agenda items (which they consider inevitable) can be accomplished without vote, after which Fr delegation wld make statement that Fr silence on inscription does not imply Fr recognition UN competence. If some other country requests vote on inscription Fr will be obliged vote against inscription. Fr believe British would prefer to have inscription issue put to vote but will follow Fr lead on this point.
- 2.
- Fr believe real discussion will come when items considered in political committee, probably sometime in Dec. Fr will categorically oppose UN competence and will vote against, if issue put to vote. Principal argument will be based on Art 2 para 7 UN charter and nature of treaties concluded between France and Tunisia and Morocco. Fr would oppose referring competence issue to ICJ.
- 3.
- FonOff appreciates Dept’s handling of press inquiries re US position these issues. Believes that less public attention given inscription issue prior to Assembly consideration more likely inscription phase will pass off in relatively quiet manner.
- 4.
- Composition French UN delegation not yet finally determined but no special delegates are being sent, or are considered necessary, to handle inscription issue. In coming weeks, as political committee discussion Tunisian and Moroccan items approaches, argumentation and tactics on competence issue will undergo further development.
Dunn