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

377. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the President and the Acting Secretary of State, Washington, February 16, 1958, 8:30 p.m.¹

Washington, February 16, 1958, 8:30 p.m.

I called the President to advise him of the discussions which had been held on the three previous days in Paris, Tunis, and Washington with respect to the possibility of the United States tendering its good offices to help in the solution of the French-Tunisian problem.² I advised the President that we now had assurances from both France and Tunisia that our good offices would be accepted and that they might well lead to a postponement of any United Nations discussion on the subject.

The President seemed very pleased with the progress made and inquired as to whether we are concerting our activities with the British. I told him that the British were planning a similar move and he expressed satisfaction that we were moving together.

I then read to him the suggested statement³ which was going to both Tunis and Paris and he expressed the hope that our position could be made public just as soon as possible.

He sounded cheerful and again expressed real satisfaction on progress made with respect to the tendering of our good offices.⁴

C.A.H.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 651.72/2–1658. Secret. Drafted by Herter.
2. Documentation on these discussions is ibid., 651.72.

3. Sent to Tunis in telegram 585 and repeated to Paris as telegram 2974, February 16; it reads:

   “Responsive to the inquiries of the French and Tunisian Governments, we have been glad to make available our good offices in order to assist the Governments of France and Tunisia to settle the outstanding problems between them. In so doing, it is of course clearly understood that the rendering of such assistance would not preclude the U.S. Government from offering affirmative suggestions. It is assumed that while our good offices are being exercised, any adversary proceedings at the United Nations would be suspended.” (Ibid.)

4. The Department of State announced on February 17 that the United States had offered its good offices in conjunction with the United Kingdom; for text, see Department of State Bulletin, March 10, 1958, p. 372. On February 18, the U.N. Security Council adopted without debate a motion to adjourn. For a record of these proceedings, see U.N. Doc. S/PV.811.