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

275. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tunisia¹

Washington, November 2, 1957—4:27 p.m.

297. Deptel 295 to Tunis² and previous. For Tunis.

A. Department believes that view time elapsed since October 21 when Bourguiba agreed brief delay re arms delivery and growing likelihood Egyptian move, action should now be initiated with respect immediate token shipment for GOT.

British suggested today we plan inform French and Tunisians November 6 we ready commence delivery on chance new Government will have been formed previous day.³ We informing British we believe it more advisable tell both GOF and GOT immediately date on which we propose commence deliveries unless agreement on arms meanwhile reached between GOF and GOT which obviates need for such action.

B. Therefore as soon as you ascertain your British colleague has received similar instructions you should inform Bourguiba as follows:

1. Subject to agreement on terms and conditions, US prepared facilitate purchase of arms by GOT from US Government stocks and to deliver token shipment November 12 unless GOF and GOT have meanwhile reached agreement obviating need such action.

2. US token shipment would consist of 500 rifles and 50,000 rounds ammunition at approximate total price $60,000 including handling charges.

3. Notes outlined Deptel 267⁴ should be exchanged forthwith.

4. Embassy should first propose cash settlement in local currency. If GOT unable undertake you should then explain following terms would apply this and any subsequent orders: repayments in equal annual installments within three year period of original dollar value of material furnished to be made in Tunisian currency unrestricted in use computed at exchange rate in effect at time of repayment provided that if Tunisia then has more than one legal rate of exchange—rate would be fixed by mutual agreement. In addition interest rate would be at 4 percent per annum. If President Bourguiba feels he cannot accept these terms you should report immediately but you may meanwhile proceed with exchange notes and arrangements for delivery.

5. UK Government is associated with US in this action and British Ambassador furnishing GOT list items they ready deliver same date and terms therefor.

C. Actual transfer to GOT token shipment will thus require 1) exchange notes and 2) agreement in principle cash settlement or terms outlined above. Further orders would include token shipment and involve Defense letter of offer and Tunisian letter acceptance containing agreement on types, quantities and prices items to be furnished, delivery dates, etc. List items available for sale in addition those included token shipment and prices forwarded separately by Pouch.

D. When exchange notes completed and sale arrangements agreed to Embassy Tunis should arrange details delivery with CO Wheelus through Embassy Tripoli so as be ready move for November 12 delivery.

For Paris.

When your British colleague similarly instructed Ambassador should inform French above decision and explain our estimate situation emphasizing growing danger Egyptian move renders further delay impractical in our opinion. Add we would hope for minimum publicity but cannot be confident this will be case. We hope French will be able associate themselves with this action before November 12.⁵

If not and we required make any public statement we will say we hope France will associate herself with it in future (Ambassador Tunis should so advise Bourguiba).

Paris may add we are moving forward in belief we have given French all reasonable time deal with it since Bourguiba’s appeal to US on September 4 and are again allowing week’s delay despite grave risks to Western interests Tunisia.

Paris should also inform French of composition US token shipment and nature assurances we are requesting.

For Tripoli.

You will receive separate instructions re balance Wheelus stockpile “M”. Without consulting GOL at this time Embassy Tripoli requested indicate to Department what steps would be necessary effect road delivery in Tunisia by November 12.

For Rome and Brussels.

When Tunis and Paris report above approaches underway Embassies should inform their Governments US–UK action Tunis and Paris and should reiterate hope they will associate themselves with it.⁶

Addressees should emphasize to Governments to which accredited importance of secrecy until deliveries effected November 12. Tripoli should not approach GOL for time being.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 772.56/11–257. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Palmer and Bovey and approved by Murphy. Also sent to Paris, Tripoli, Rome, and Brussels; repeated to London.
2. Telegram 295, November 1, stated that the British were prepared to make delivery of a 70,000-pound-sterling arms shipment as soon as final U.S. instructions to Tunis on this matter were formulated. (Ibid., 772.56/11–157)
3. Willie Morris conveyed this suggestion from Lloyd to Palmer. The British did not wish to damage Gaillard’s prospects of forming a government. (Memorandum of conversation by Palmer, November 2; ibid., 772.56/11–257)
4. Telegram 267, October 21, outlined the terms of the transaction as stipulated in the notes to be exchanged. (Ibid., 772.56/10–2157) The text of the notes is in despatch 241 from Tunis, November 7. (Ibid., 772.56/11–757.)
5. The British and U.S. aides-mémoire were delivered separately to Jean-Henri Daridan, Director General of Political and Economic Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, on November 4. He expressed his regret that the move had not been delayed until the new French Government had the opportunity to consider the matter. (Despatch 748, November 5; ibid., 772.56/11–557) In Washington, Torbert had a conversation with French Minister Charles Lucet, in which Torbert indicated the token arms delivery would be made even if the French and Tunisians came to an agreement. Lucet responded that this act would be viewed as an ultimatum to the new government. (Memorandum of conversation by Looram, November 4; ibid., 772.56/11–457)
6. Telegram 666 from Brussels, November 6, reported that Belgium appreciated being kept informed but would not furnish arms without French consent. (Ibid., 772.56/11–657)