651.72/9–754: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State1
confidential
Paris, September 7, 1954—8
p.m.
1001. Basdevant of Protectorate Ministry who participated with Minister Fouchet and De Courcel in September 4 ceremonies in Tunis opening French-Tunisian negotiations2 today made following comments to us on Tunisian developments:
- 1.
- French visitors well received and agreement on procedural problems re negotiations cleared up very quickly.
- 2.
- Negotiations scheduled to be resumed Paris September 10 but may be delayed until 11th. Uncertain whether Tahar Ben Ammar will accompany Tunisian Ministers of State Masmoudi, Slim and Djellouli.
- 3.
- Jacques Lucius (former Secretary General Moroccan Protectorate) and Pierre Chavenet (director of French Civil Service) handling negotiations on French side of conventions on rights and interests of French in Tunisia and convention on administrative technical cooperation respectively.
- 4.
- Any illusions that Neo-Destour not calling tune within Tunisian Government dispelled during visit. Emphasized by after-dinner conversation between French visitors, Ammar, Masmoudi and Slim in which latter two did all of talking for Tunisian side. On other hand French found them intelligent, reasonable, at least on procedural matters, and not hot-headed.
- 5.
- Although Tunisian population admittedly pleased by reform proposals, it was quite evident to French visitors that popular demonstrations and acclamations were largely staged by Neo-Destour.
- 6.
- Despite statement such as that attributed Salah Ben Youssef in September 6 press conference Cairo that “we will negotiate future the return to Tunisian state of responsibility for defense and foreign affairs”, French visitors found no indication that Tunisian interlocutors were wavering in acceptance of principles on which internal autonomy being returned to Tunisia as enunciated in Mendes’ July 31 statement to Bey.
Dillon