Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Arab-Israeli Dispute; United Arab Republic; North Africa, Volume XIII

279. Position Paper Prepared in the Office of Western European Affairs¹

Washington , June 26, 1958.

ALGERIA

(If raised by the French)

Anticipated French Position:

1. The French may say they intend to initiate a liberal policy along the lines of an autonomous Algeria federated with France in a French federal union. This would take place after the new Constitution is approved by public referendum in September; the details would be worked out with the Algerian representatives to be elected on a basis of universal suffrage (single college system). It is not politically feasible for the Government to negotiate with the FLN on a new political status for Algeria, but members of the FLN will be permitted to run as candidates in the elections, and Morocco and Tunisia will be asked to urge the FLN to accept De Gaulle’s formula.

2. France will expect NATO in general and the U.S. in particular to support De Gaulle’s policies on Algeria. Apart from the UN forum, U.S. assistance may eventually be significant in getting Morocco and Tunisia to pressure the FLN to accept these policies.

Recommended U.S. Position:

1. We have never differed with France on basic Western objectives in North West Africa, including the maintenance of French influence in this region, which is of great strategic importance to NATO. Rumors of U.S. intentions to replace France in North Africa or to gain control of Saharan resources are utterly without foundation.² It will be noted, moreover, that the U.S. has given not inconsiderable assistance to France on numerous occasions in the UN with regard to Algeria. However, previous French policies on Algeria have appeared to us as only leading to an extension of hostilities to all of North Africa and thus to the eventual elimination of Western influence in this area. If Western influence were driven out, the vacuum would be filled by Nasser’s and pro-Soviet influence.

2. An early and peaceful settlement of the Algerian conflict is the key to the maintenance of Western influence in all of North Africa. If De Gaulle can come up with a liberal and realistic policy which has a good chance of bringing about a peaceful solution, he would have our wholehearted support and we would be prepared to render any assistance that might be feasible, should such be desired.

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, Conference Files: FRC 83–0067, CF 1031. Confidential. A covering memorandum designates this as Position Paper DGT D–3/4 in the records of Dulles’ July 3–6 trip to Paris and notes that it was drafted by Looram and cleared by Palmer, Torbert, and Elbrick. Dulles and De Gaulle discussed Algeria during a private conversation on July 5. Documentation on Dulles’ consultations with the De Gaulle government is scheduled for publication in volume VII.
2. For text of Dulles’ April 15 statement denying these rumors, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, pp. 1091–1092.