Office of the Historian

772.00/3–154: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Achilles) to the Department of State1

confidential
Paris, March 1, 1954—7 p.m.

3132. Re Tunisian reforms Basdevant tells us:

(1)
Limited Cabinet meeting held February 27 at which Voizard’s proposals for forming new Tunisian Government and promulgating reform measures discussed and approved unanimously.
(2)
Voizard departed Paris for Tunis this morning and expected see Bey this afternoon. If present plans materialize, Mzali Government will be invested tomorrow2 and reforms will be promulgated three or four days later.
(3)
Despite report in newspaper Akhbar attributing remarks to General Saadallah which implied he would not participate in Mzali Government, Foreign Office understands his remarks twisted and that he is prepared to participate.
(4)
In addition measures mentioned earlier (reported Embtel 3037, February 23)3 reform program will also provide for extending terms of municipal and caidal councillors from six to nine years, one third to be elected every three years. Elections for one third of membership will take place 2 months after promulgation of decree. In cases where present vacancies constitute less than one third of full membership, necessary number of councillors elected last year will resign on basis drawing lots. This proposal elaborated by Voizard in compromise effort meet criticism of composition of present municipal and caidal council which emerged from 1953 elections.
(5)
In discussion budgetary matters, Tunisian assembly will sit with French delegation and with representatives certain economic bodies such as Chambers of Commerce, Agriculture and Mining.
(6)
At some point Bey expected make public statement in support reform measure but not yet known whether this will be at time of promulgation or when elections are held for Tunisian assembly and French delegation.
(7)
Opposition is coming as expected from Rassemblement Francais, Neo-Destour and UGTT. Remains to be seen whether latter two will attack reforms only or Bey as well.
(8)
While details of reform measures elaborated by Voizard with Mzali whom Bey designated for this purpose, measures themselves received Bey’s approval before Voizard came to Paris.

Basdevant requests we treat above information very confidentially until it has been made public in Tunisia since Foreign Office believes it important that Tunisian identification with reform program be emphasized.

Achilles
  1. This telegram was repeated to Tunis.↩
  2. Tunis telegram 63, Mar. 2, reported the Bey had installed the new Cabinet that morning and announced it was a first step toward implementing the promised reforms. The Cabinet consisted of: Council President Mohamed Salah Mzali, Public Health Director Mohamed Ben Salem, Agriculture Minister Abdel Kader Balkhodja, Commerce Director Mohamed Hadjouj, Justice Minister Tahar Lakhdar, Labor Minister Chedly Ben Romdane, Housing and City Planning Minister Noureddine Zaouche, and Musulman Institution General Mohamed Saadallah. (772 00/3–254)↩
  3. Supra.↩