Office of the Historian

382. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Elbrick) to the Acting Secretary of State1

Washington, March 12, 1958.

SUBJECT

  • French Use MDAP Equipment in Bombing of Sakiet

On February 18 the French Embassy confirmed to the Department that aircraft provided to France under MDAP were used in the bombing of Tunisia on February 8.2 There was then prepared, and cleared with Mr. Becker, a note of protest to the French Government3 indicating that the U.S. could not condone the use of this equipment in a hostile act against another friendly country, and requesting assurances that steps would be taken to preclude any recurrence. Before leaving for Europe, Mr. Murphy indicated that he would prefer to handle this matter himself during the trip. The Secretary subsequently indicated these developments before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He said that the matter would be discussed informally by Mr. Murphy rather than as a formal presentation. His testimony on this point was deleted from the printed record. Subsequently, the Secretary signed a telegram to Mr. Murphy (Tab A)4 seeking his views about telling the French that we “reserve the right to take the matter up further with them”. Mr. Murphy said that he had no objection to the Department informing the French to this effect. Houghton concurred.

I believe that such an evasive approach to the French would actually run greater risk of offense than making a positive protest (which in fact has already been raised informally on the working level here and publicly by Mr. Dillon at the Johnston Conference).5 I also think that it will strengthen our position with Congress to be able to say we have done it officially. It may be even less opportune to say anything in the future. We would, of course, wish to obtain Mr. Murphy’s prior concurrence and have accordingly drafted the telegram at [Page 835] Tab B.6 Since this is not precisely the action which the Secretary advised the House Committee on Foreign Affairs we were taking, we have prepared the telegram for your signature.

Recommendation:

That you sign the attached telegram (Tab B).

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 651.72/3–1258. Confidential. Drafted by Torbert, sent to Herter through S/S, initialed by Elbrick, and concurred in by Palmer.↩
  2. No record of this conversation has been found.↩
  3. Not found.↩
  4. Telegram 6178 to London, March 3. In addition to requesting Murphy’s opinion on how to approach the French, it transmitted the text of Dulles’ statement before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. (Department of State, Central Files, 651.72/3–358)↩
  5. While participating in a February 25 discussion panel, Dillon was asked about the use of MDAP equipment in the attack on Sakiet Sidi Youssef. He confirmed that France had used some U.S. equipment and that the U.S. Government intended to ensure that France never used U.S. military aid for such purposes again. Telegram 630 to Tunis, February 25, informed Murphy of Dillon’s statements and noted they had been quoted by the Associated Press. (Ibid., 651.72/2–2558)↩
  6. Telegram 3361 to Paris, March 13. (Ibid., 651.72/3–558)↩