Office of the Historian

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

Washington, April 18, 1958—4:50 p.m.

3890. Following based on uncleared memo conversation.2

French Ambassador under instructions called on Acting Secretary April 18 regarding newspaper reports resulting from Murphy’s background briefing Paris April 17 to effect US changing its policies on Algeria and now favors French Government negotiating settlement with FLN. Alphand stated matter extremely serious and had already provoked strong reaction French political circles. Stated Pineau had seen Houghton this morning and had asked for full explanation (Paris 4789).3 Following this meeting Pineau had personally instructed Alphand see Acting Secretary immediately in order stress “incalculable consequences” reports might have in France and request public clarification.

Acting Secretary informed Ambassador he had just spoken with Murphy in London who stated he had been badly misinterpreted in confusion of press conference. He related what Murphy had actually said (London 6061).4 It was regrettable that this had occurred Acting Secretary stated and proposed with the Ambassador’s concurrence release brief statement to press immediately.

Discussion ensued regarding wording of communiqué with Alphand demurring on use of word “hope” in last sentence to effect US Government hoped France would be able work out solution Algerian conflict. It was important he said that US make clear there was no change in its policies on Algeria, none was contemplated and that US [Page 633] still recognized it was internal French problem. Otherwise issue would be greatly exploited by nationalist elements in France such as Soustelle to detriment NATO.

Acting Secretary stated US had given consistent support to France in past on Algeria. It was still our hope that France would be able solve conflict itself. However, Secretary on several occasions had made clear to French Ambassador his doubts and preoccupations with regard present French policies in North Africa and particularly Algeria. As situation developing it would inevitably lead to internationalization of conflict. Acting Secretary was accordingly unwilling commit ourselves for future.

Last sentence of statement being reported separately was slightly modified to apparent satisfaction Alphand. With his concurrence it was released to press immediately after meeting.5

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 651.51S/4–1858. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Looram and approved and signed for Herter by Jandrey. Repeated to Tunis, Rabat, London, and Algiers.↩
  2. Not printed. (Ibid., Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199)↩
  3. Telegram 4789, April 18, transmitted Houghton’s report on his conversation with Pineau, (ibid., Central Files, 611.51/4–1858)↩

  4. Murphy spoke with Herter at 12:40 p.m., explaining what he had said “to the best of his recollection”:

    “I thought the U.S. would favor a solution of the Algerian problem by negotiation if that were possible but that the U.S. has no fixed notion regarding the form such negotiation should or must take. I added I had heard opinions expressed in Paris that the French tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with the FLN in the past and that it might be hopeless to try it again. I personally, however, did not exclude the possibility that France might be able at some future time to resume negotiation.” (Memorandum of telephone conversation; Eisenhower Library, Herter Papers, Telephone Conversations) Murphy reiterated these comments in telegram 6061 from London, April 18, which Herter used during his conversation with Alphand. (Department of State, Central Files, 651.51S/4–1858)

    ↩
  5. For text of this statement, which was sent to Paris in telegram 3883, April 18 (ibid., 611.51/4–1858), see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, p. 1092.↩