320/6–853: Telegram
The Consul at Tunis (LeBreton) to the Department of State1
confidential
Tunis, June 8, 1953—6
p.m.
304. Tunis roundup.
- 1.
- With Prime Minister, Resident General and Minister Delegate in Europe, governmental interregnum in Paris and Ramadan nearing its weary end, political activity here nil during past fortnight.
- 2.
- Security officials concerned at continuing series minor terrorists episodes, mostly in Sahel and remote Cape Bon reaches where violence not unusual, but occasionally in Tunis area as well. Authorities apparently do not connect these latest crude outbursts with Kastalli plot (Tunis telegram 299)2 and as yet unable ascribe them to anything more significant than fellaga (bandit) activity.
- 3.
- Nevertheless, Resident General’s announced policy of clemency (Tunis despatch 336)3 being implemented. All 9 labor leaders released from enforced residence last week. If state of public security remains reasonable satisfactory plan is to free 70 of remaining 140 political retainees immediately after Ramadan. Residency admits those to be released are lesser lights; more important (i.e. dangerous) ND chiefs such as Hedi Chaker, Mongi Slim, et cetera to remain, —as “hostages” (in their phrase). Equating clemency with continued calm proving somewhat difficult task.
- 4.
- UGTT leaders Boudali and Khiari have been granted permission attend ICFTU Conference Stockholm. Former permitted return from France last week when others released.
- 5.
- Masmoudi probably to be given provisional liberty soon, having now been interrogated in presence his lawyer who successfully challenged competence military tribunal his case.
- 6.
- Comment: French apparently making serious effort carry general amnesty of nationalists as far as public safety will permit. When this last attempted (in autumn 1952) short period calm followed broken by Hached murder and upsurge violence necessitating new arrests.
Lebreton