Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Africa, Volume XVIII

269. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France¹

Washington, October 3, 1957—8:53 p.m.

1306. Separate message contains letter from Secretary to Pineau for early delivery on subject supply of arms to Tunisia.² As that message suggests it is hoped you will be able to have early, full and frank discussion with Pineau and other pertinent officials to explore whatever possibilities exist of a prompt solution to Tunisian arms crisis. Every attempt should be made stimulate positive French suggestions. These explorations should be held within framework that if other Western countries do not supply light arms for internal security to Tunisia or make firm arrangements satisfactory to Tunisians promptly US feels it is committed to assure such supply. Our strong first preference remains that French Government itself undertake supply. Second preference would be supply by Italy, Belgium, or other friendly Western European country including possibly such non-NATO countries as Sweden or Switzerland. We may instruct our Embassies in these countries to explore supply possibilities. Throughout conversations you should stress our sincere concern to find solution acceptable to France but our determination that some way must be found of supplying arms without excessive delay.

Dept convinced that to supply Tunisia with the means of fulfilling her security needs, far from aggravating present problems or increasing present tensions, would greatly contribute to a détente, relax pressures on the Tunisian Government and enable the present regime to approach the settlement of other problems strengthened by public confidence in the demonstrated fruitfulness of Tunisia’s policy of collaboration with the West. Such an atmosphere would, we believe, immeasurably increase the Tunisian Government’s freedom of maneuver and ability to compromise in reaching a settlement with France. We therefore believe that France and the United States and other Western countries have every interest in reaching an immediate decision on the Tunisian arms problem.

At same time you may advise GOF as you deem appropriate regarding Secretary’s conversation Ladgham (Deptel 217).³ You should mention that Ladgham and other Tunisians have indicated strong desire reach settlement outstanding questions with France but clearly stated unacceptability tying arms supply to such settlement. Within this framework we would be prepared do whatever we appropriately can to facilitate such settlement. Report developments urgently.⁴

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 772.56/10–357. Secret. Drafted by Torbert. Repeated to Tunis and Rome.
2. Telegram 1304, October 3, not printed. (Ibid.)
3. Telegram 217, October 3, was based on the memorandum of conversation, supra. (Department of State, Central Files, 651.72/10–357)
4. Ambassador Houghton reported in telegram 1173, October 5, that he had delivered the Secretary’s message to Pineau. Pineau agreed that Tunisia should receive arms from the West, but urged that this not be done while France was in the midst of a government crisis. (Ibid., 772.56/10–557)