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

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

Washington, March 30, 1959—7 p.m.

3624. Merchant called in French Ambassador March 30 to discuss French démarches re US Government contacts with FLN representatives.² Said established US tradition for Department not close doors to anyone who requested being heard. Moreover it had not been frequent practice receive FLN and French Embassy kept informed in each instance. However given importance French Government evidently attached this issue, Merchant advised Alphand we would not receive FLN representatives for time being in Department. This would of course not preclude chance encounters at foreign diplomatic receptions or occasions of this nature. It was emphasized to Ambassador necessity keeping this matter highly confidential in view possibility other foreign governments might cite it as precedent for insisting Department not receive other foreign dissident groups and in view possibility adverse reaction or part certain elements US public and Congress.

Alphand expressed appreciation for this decision. He did not raise question visas for FLN, latter’s propaganda activities this country or possibility substantive discussions with FLN outside Department, either in this country or abroad.

You may at your discretion advise Foreign Office of position taken with Alphand above, stressing importance this not leak to press or foreign governments.³

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/3–3059. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Looram, cleared by Bovey, and approved and signed for Herter by Merchant. Repeated to Tunis, Rabat, and Algiers.
2. A memorandum of this conversation is ibid.
3. In a March 31 meeting with Herter, Couve de Murville “expressed satisfaction” with this decision, but stated that “the principal trouble” stemmed from the presence of FLN representatives in the United States. Herter reiterated that the United States could not deny these individuals visas. (USDel/MC/24; ibid., Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199) Couve de Murville was in Washington to attend the NATO Ministerial Meeting held April 2–4.