772.00/7–2254
The Consul General at Tunis (Hughes) to the Department of State1
No. 20
Subject:
- Political Events in Tunisia as Affected by Mendes-France Triumph and Habib Bourguiba Transfer.
Political events during the past week were highlighted by the transfer of Habib Bourguiba from l’Ile de Groix to Amilly (Tunis’ Despatch No. 17 dated July 20, 1954)2 and the announcement of the ceasefire agreement in Indo-China. The latter, insofar as it will insure the Mendes-France Government’s remaining in power, will have a profound effect on the immediate future of Franco-Tunisian relations.
The transfer of Bourguiba was, as previously reported, a highly encouraging move on the part of the French Government as far as the Tunisian Nationalists are concerned. In his brief statement to the press Bourguiba said that he considered his transfer to be but a prelude to a definite change in policy on the part of the French and that he believed that the present terrorist activity would subside of its own accord. [Page 884] He also stated that he was ready at any time to enter into discussions, even on the basis of the Treaty of Bardo.
Bourguiba’s statement concerning the cessation of terrorist activity appears to be an indication that he is, or at least considers that he is, the moving force behind this activity. It will be interesting to observe whether, in the face of his recent transfer and the obvious intention of the Mendes-France Government to make further concessions to the Tunisian Nationalists, terrorism comes to a halt or continues. In the latter event it will be a definite indication that others beside Bourguiba and the Neo-Destour are directing the activities that have caused turmoil throughout the country during the past several months. These possible sources include the ever present Communists, who are strongly suspected of backing the fellagah from the outside, the followers of Salah Ben Youssef, and the Arab League.
It is understood that the large fellagah bands having fallen back to the mountains of Central Tunisia and currently under a state of semi-siege by French troops will have no recourse but to continue to fight for their own preservation. They could obviously expect little consideration at the hands of the French troops if forced to surrender and, with the bulk of the outlaws facing long prison sentences at the least they might choose to fight on, especially if supported by a continued flow of reinforcements and supplies from Libya. Their only alternative, in the event that the Neo-Destour makes terms with the French, would be to attempt to fight their way south and across the Libyan border from whence they came.
It is, of course, too early to expect any concrete results of the apparent change in French policy. The transfer of Bourguiba was only the opening move in what is expected to be a complete change of French policy vis-à-vis Tunisia.
If the terms of the cease-fire in Indo-China seat the Mendes-France Government firmly in the saddle—and it now appears highly likely—one may expect immediate action on the part of Minister Christian Fouchet towards sweeping reforms in both Tunisia and Morocco. Because of the seriousness of the terrorism in Tunisia, it is probable that the first steps will be taken by the French Government in that Protectorate. Invitations to prominent Tunisians to come to Paris for exploratory conversations have already been accepted and three of them—Tahar Benn Ammar, President of the Tunisian Chamber of Agriculture, Aziz Djellouli, former member of the Baccouche Cabinet, and Naceur Ben Said, ex-Caid of Sfax, have already had interviews with Minister Fouchet, and Ben Ammar with Habib Bourguiba. Others expected later are ex-Prime Minister M’Zali, who is now in France, Hussen Abdelwahab, ex-Minister of State, Dr. Materi, former member [Page 885] of the Chenik Cabinet, and Dr. Ben Rais, ex-Minister of Commerce in the Baccouche Cabinet. Incidentally, Dr. Ben Rais departed suddenly for France upon the urging of Residency officials who learned that his life was in danger from terrorists. The Residency has also urged Dr. Ghacham, Baccouche’s Minister of Health, to leave at once in view of the serious threats he has received from Nationalist extremists, but he has not yet departed. These visitors, together with others and prominent French residents of Tunisia, will in due course form a mixed commission to discuss with the French Government fundamental reforms that are expected to be based upon the principles of far-reaching internal autonomy for the Tunisians which will, at the same time, recognize the legitimate rights of the French residents and the basic principle that the French Government will remain in Tunisia and have control of foreign affairs, finances, military protection, and a measure of control over the judiciary. How the mixed commission will be formed and by whom is not yet known. Nor is it known what part Resident General Voizard will play in those negotiations. The Residency does not believe that a new cabinet will be appointed until the work of the mixed commission has progressed, there being no point in naming another interim government because the present incumbents, headed by the French Secretary General, are competent to keep the government functioning during the interim period.
It is significant to note that Monsieur Voizard has not yet been called to Paris to meet with the government officials and the prominent Tunisians. While he will doubtless be called in due course when his presence is needed, the fact that conversations are being held without him may indicate that the Mendes-France Government may be contemplating a change in that office. One or two Residency officials have expressed cautious concern over that possibility, but state that M. Voizard intends to go to Paris soon. Most observers appear to feel that the replacement of M. Voizard at this time would be most unfortunate. He has not been given a real chance to succeed or to fail as Resident General, and may be considered to have achieved some success in his ten months at this post especially through reestablishing good relations with the Bey and through convincing all walks of French and Tunisian life of his abiding interest in their welfare. The fact that his operations were closely controlled by the former French Government coupled with world political and military events conspired to destroy the peaceful period that he had worked diligently to maintain for many months. It will be very difficult to find a successor as capable and steady as M. Voizard, and one who knows Tunisia and the people as well as he does.
- This despatch was repeated to Paris, Cairo, Casablanca, Algiers, Rabat, Tripoli, and Rome for Maffitt.↩
- Not printed; it reported hostility on the part of large numbers of the French residents of Tunisia to the transfer of Bourguiba and the apparent attitude of the Mendes-France government toward Tunisian affairs. (772.00/7–2054)↩