380. Editorial Note
President Eisenhower spoke of the U.S.–U.K. good offices mission at a February 25 legislative leadership meeting held at the White House:
“After noting that this was on the agenda at Sen. Saltonstall’s request, the President outlined the problem created by French difficulties with Algerian rebels, charges of Tunisian aid to the rebels, and French incursions on Tunisian territory. The President said we are working hard to keep this flareup moderated, especially because there would be pressure on Bourguiba to turn to the East for help if he couldn’t get it settled by the West. So Mr. Murphy was being sent out to provide his good offices to both Bourguiba and the French. The President felt a settlement would not be easy, for the French Government is so politically weak that it doesn’t dare make anything that would be a sound proposal regarding Algeria. Hence Mr. Murphy’s job is to try to get the French to understand they have to accept a sensible proposal for the Tunisian situation. Mr. Herter said Mr. Murphy has one such proposal to discuss, namely, that there be a half-mile no-man’s land on the Algerian side of the Tunisian border, that the French would be permitted to fly over it, and that no rebels would be allowed in it. Mr. Herter added that the Tunisians wanted to get the French out of the Bizerte Naval Base, but they were willing to allow some time for a change to be made—or perhaps Bizerte could be put under NATO auspices rather than French.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries)
The following day, Murphy discussed North Africa’s future and its relationship to France with Defense Secretary Ladgham and Foreign Minister Mokaddem. Tunisia, Ladgham stated, wanted to live as an independent nation with close relations to France and a Western-oriented foreign policy. A military solution to the Algerian problem was not possible; it could only be solved by negotiation involving France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Algerian rebels. These negotiations would produce Algerian independence in the context of a Franco-North African group. Ladgham assured Murphy that Morocco shared Tunisia’s position on this problem and that they were working together to solve it. He concluded by questioning whether France could maintain its strength if the status quo continued.
Murphy reported on this conversation separately from his updates on the good offices mission, specifying it was not to be repeated to London or Paris. (Telegram 1071 from Tunis, February 26; Department of State, Central Files, 651.51S/2–2658) On March 3, Eisenhower sent the following personal note to Secretary Dulles: [Page 831]
“The sentiments expressed by Ladgham, which are reported by Murphy in his cable of February 27th, coincide almost item by item with my own views. The trick is—how do we get the French to see a little sense?” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries)
The text of this note was sent by telegram to Murphy, priority and eyes only. (Telegram 6172 to London, March 3; Department of State, Central Files, 110.12–MU/3–358)
On February 28, Ambassador Slim delivered to the Department of State a letter from President Bourguiba to President Eisenhower appealing to the United States to prevent France from creating a “no-man’s land” along the Tunisian-Algerian border. (Ibid., Presidential Correspondence: Lot 64 D 174) An official translation of the letter was sent to the White House on March 5. On March 9, Acting Secretary Herter sent the President a suggested reply, noting it incorporated suggestions from Murphy and others in the field. If Eisenhower approved the text, Ambassador Jones would deliver it to Bourguiba, requesting it be given no publicity because of the good offices mission. Jones would also be authorized to tell Bourguiba that France had indicated the “displacements may not occur on the scale which he originally feared but that we understand his concern and stand ready to help him with the refugee problem in Tunisia.” (Memorandum for the President; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File)
Eisenhower signed the letter on March 10. Noting that “we have had somewhat conflicting reports as to the situation in this area, which I hope will not lead to consequences of the proportions you fear,” it stated: “The United States cannot, of course, be indifferent to any situation which extracts a toll in lives and human misery.” The letter assured Bourguiba the United States would continue its assistance to civilian refugees in Tunisia and would “do what we can further to alleviate the suffering which causes you and us so much concern.” (Ibid.) The text was transmitted to Tunis that evening in telegram 691. (Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 64 D 174)