Office of the Historian

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

Washington, November 13, 1957—12:15 p.m.

327. You should reassure Bourguiba that US purpose in suspending delivery of token arms shipment was only on understanding that GOF would make delivery on November 12, as indicated Secretary’s message yesterday. We have just learned that delivery was not in fact made but that French Ambassador is discussing matter with GOT today.2 Bourguiba may be informed that if the French are not prepared to make immediate delivery under conditions similar to those agreed to with the US, US will proceed with token delivery tomorrow November 14.3 Bourguiba should also understand that our basic position is that Tunisia is entitled quickly to get reasonable amount of arms for defensive and security purposes, that these arms should be obtainable from the West, preferably from France, but if not, elsewhere in the West, and US itself stands ready to supply them if need be.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 772.56/11–1357. Secret; Niact. The source text bears a notation, initialed by Howe, that it was approved by the President. Repeated to London and Paris.↩
  2. Yost met with Joxe at 10:30 a.m. on November 13 and learned that the French had not made an arms delivery to Tunisia. Gorse was sent back to Tunisia to persuade Bourguiba to refuse the Egyptian arms shipment as a condition for receiving French arms. Houghton met with Pineau around 1 p.m., and indicated that the United States expected the French to complete the delivery without adding any new conditions. (Telegram 2401 from Paris, November 13; ibid.)↩
  3. Palmer spoke with Ambassador Jones on the phone at 10:20 a.m. Jones reported that earlier that morning Bourguiba had indicated to him that France had not delivered the promised arms. The Tunisians maintained that they could not reject the arms which came to them as a gift from Egypt. Unless he heard to the contrary, Ambassador Jones was instructed to tell Bourguiba by 8 p.m. that U.S. supplies would be sent the next morning. (Memorandum of conversation by Porter, November 13; ibid.)↩