262. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State 1
1491. Reference Embtel 1483.2 Pineau called me in this morning and with great gravity and emphasis protested against leak to UP on arms to Tunis. Without specifically saying so, he obviously attributed leak to Department.
He expressed particular indignation that leak concerned question which has been subject personal correspondence between Secretary and himself. He showed me sections article in this morning’s Communist-front newspaper Liberation which reproduces and embroiders on UP report. Pineau pointed out his own personal position in this matter is extremely delicate and that Prime Minister and Defense Minister3 are furious.
In light these developments Pineau asked the Secretary be informed he would be unable to reply immediately to Secretary’s second message re arms to Tunis. He frankly did not see how he [Page 694] would get out of present difficulty and in any case would be unable to take further action before next Council of Ministers meeting September 25. He handed me communiqué transmitted following telegram.4
Pineau also made number of general comments re serious weakness Western diplomacy vis-à-vis Soviets as result constant leaks to press. He pointed out that present subject is one in which much can be accomplished privately but concerning which publicity tends to paralyze all interested parties.
In response to query, Pineau said he did not know what Italian reaction to publicity has been but Joxe is seeing Italian Ambassador today.
Comment: Pineau was … throughout entire interview. We suspect that he only with greatest difficulty obtained Bourges’ and Morice’s consent to last week’s change in French policy and that they have now demanded he take no further action for time being.
I believe that only means of moving forward under present circumstances is for Secretary to send another urgent personal message expressing regret for publicity offering explanation, if possible and emphasizing vital importance of acting promptly on substantive issue. We would hope Pineau …. However extremely precarious state of Bourges government adds another hazard.
We would also hope that Italians may not feel as strongly as French on publicity and may still be prepared to proceed as planned.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 772.56/9–2157. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Rome and Tunis.↩
- Telegram 1483, September 20, revealed French disquiet that the press had learned of the negotiations to permit Italy to furnish arms to Tunisia. (Ibid., 772.56/9–2057)↩
- André Morice.↩
- The communiqué was transmitted in telegram 1492, September 21. (Ibid., 772.56/9–2157)↩