259. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France 1

1019. Please deliver following personal message from Secretary to Pineau:

“Since our very useful conversations last weekend,2 I have become seriously concerned at the rapid deterioration which we believe we detect in Franco-Tunisian relations. I fear that unless energetic steps are taken immediately we may be faced with a situation in Tunisia of serious danger to the interests of France, the US and the West in general. I recognize that much of the danger arises from the different interests and different attitudes of Tunisia and France toward Algeria and that perhaps full cooperation and understanding cannot be reached until that conflict is settled. Nevertheless the importance of Tunisia to the future orientation of North Africa and to the Free World is such that I feel we must take all feasible steps to assure her continued Western orientation.

“I recall the comments which you made to me with respect to Tunisian attitudes and actions regarding Algeria.3 We have moreover studied the note which you presented to the Tunisian Government on September 11. I am thus aware of difficulties which are posed to the French Government in the present situation.

“My deep concern arises from the request which the new Tunisian Foreign Minister, on instructions from President Bourguiba, has recently made to us for assistance in obtaining small arms and ammunition to assure Tunisia’s security and to fulfill its responsibilities in those border areas from which French forces have recently withdrawn. The Foreign Minister told us that it was logical for Tunisia to look to France in this matter but that Tunisia had waited in vain for help and that attempts to purchase arms in other Western countries had been frustrated because of the attitude of the French Government which had been made known to the Governments of those countries.

“The United States has also been given clearly to understand that if we could not be helpful in this respect the Tunisians would feel compelled to look to non-Western sources.

“I did not wish to proceed further in this matter without ascertaining more precisely your views and the facts as to French commitments with regard to equipping the Tunisian army as well as deliveries which have been made and the status of those which have been scheduled or requested. I think it would be helpful also if you felt you could tell us the nature of any Tunisian requests to other [Page 689] Western countries which may have been brought to your attention, and your views on such requests.

“In the present situation in Tunisia I do not believe that we can dismiss the very strong possibility that Tunisia would in fact obtain arms from the Soviet bloc if she were unable to obtain them anywhere in the Western world. I therefore believe that unless the West finds it possible to make available to Tunisia the arms and ammunition which are reasonably required to assure its legitimate defense, these needs will be met by the Soviets with consequences which are all too obvious and contain such danger for us all.

“I think you know that it has always been our desire to see France occupy a position in North Africa for which she is so well equipped by virtue of her interests and long history of responsibility in that region. I think you also know that our interests in North Africa relate to the West and free world. I would be most reluctant for the US to take an active role in the present situation—particularly insofar as the supply of arms is concerned. Your urgent views would be appreciated as to how this matter can best be handled in order to avoid consequences to which I earlier referred. If it were not possible for France to supply this equipment, would it not be possible for Tunisia to purchase equipment in some other Western country, preferably in Europe?

“I can readily appreciate that you would expect that any assistance rendered to Tunisia in this matter should be accompanied by guarantees from the Tunisian Government as to the destination of military equipment and the discharge of normal Tunisian responsibilities in assuring the proper use of such equipment on its own territory.

“As you will appreciate we believe that there is considerable urgency in this matter. Ambassador Houghton will inform you of the substance of the démarche which I have asked Ambassador Jones to make to President Bourguiba in an effort to induce calm while we have an opportunity to consider the problem. Obviously however time is running out and we cannot long delay a response to the Tunisian appeal.”

Paris authorized convey to Pineau substance six numbered paragraphs Deptel 140 Tunis repeated 1005 Paris.4

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 772.56/9–1257. Secret. Repeated to Tunis and Rabat.
  2. Their conversation of September 7 mainly dealt with the Algerian problem. (Memorandum of conversation by Witman, September 7; ibid., 751S.00/9–757)
  3. In the September 7 conversation, Pineau noted the quasi-official aid given the rebels by Tunisia. As a consequence, he found it hard to justify financial assistance to Tunisia.
  4. Document 257.