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

772.00/3–1753: Telegram

The Consul General at Tunis (Jones) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Tunis, March 17, 1953—11 a.m.

265. Following substance views expressed by Resident General after farewell dinner Residency last night:

1. Tunisia political tensions gradually quietly lessening and there is steady drift among Tunisians toward idea reasonable settlement with French. Senseless, patternless bombings do not disturb appreciably this trend. Resident General said he had that day been shown copy of what purported be letter from former Prime Minister Chenik addressed to Tunisian personality in which former expressed conviction that Tunisians must reach settlement with French and willingness head Government established for this purpose. Resident General said that if true this was very good news since he hoped resume negotiations for settlement shortly after elections which would establish cadre of elected representatives with whom he could work. He would, however, be faced with problem easing out Baccouche and members his Cabinet; [garble] were courageous men who had stood by France at difficult time and they could not be “thrown away”.

2. Resident General delighted with performance two infantry battalions made up of Tunisian reservists who were called up for recent Beja manoeuvers (Tunis telegram 264).² Resident General overruled advice to effect that it would be dangerous to form all-Tunisian units at this time; Resident General insisted on “vertical” mobilization. Tunisian troops worked well and enthusiastically and at end manoeuvers several hundred Tunisians offered enlist for regular service. I suggested that presence in Korea of unit Tunisian volunteers under French officers might go far toward raising Tunisian morale and at same time influence world public opinion re Tunisian problem. Resident General said idea worth considering; said Tunisian volunteers are fighting in Indochina. (Today General Garbay also spoke highly of units officered and manned by Tunisians.)

3. Resident General believed that recent rains have alleviated drought central and southern Tunisia.

4. Albert Bessis, leading Tunisian lawyer (Tunis despatch 219)³ yesterday also spoke of lowered political tension (paragraph 1 above). He believes that by “giving a little” French can achieve settlement before year end. He is glad French going easy on Hedi Nouira (Tunis telegram 261)⁴ since latter will probably be among those with whom French will have to deal.

Jones

1. This telegram was repeated to Paris, Cairo, London, Algiers, Naples, Rabat, and Tripoli.
2. Mar. 14, not printed. It reported, among other matters, that General Guillaume had been there for 3 days of military maneuvers in the Beja area. (320/3–1453)
3. Not printed.
4. Mar. 6, not printed. It reported the French police had announced a roundup of 11 persons charged with publishing Neo-Destour propaganda without advance permission. Hedi Nouira, Secretary General of the Neo-Destour and one of its most respected members, was still at liberty. (320/3–653)