385. Editorial Note
Telegram 1181 from Tunis, March 15, reported that President Bourguiba had approved the text of an agreement with France. Its first phase provided for replacement of French military personnel at four Tunisian airfields with neutral observers who would ensure the fields were used for peaceful purposes, withdrawal of all French military personnel outside Bizerte’s perimeter, extension of the jurisdiction of existing French consulates in Tunisia to incorporate areas of recently closed consulates, and examination of individual cases to determine whether French nationals expelled from their Tunisian farms could return. The second phase would comprise discussions on control over Bizerte. (Department of State, Central Files, 651.72/3–1558)
Secretary Dulles reported on the proposed agreement at the 359th National Security Council meeting on March 20:
“Secretary Dulles commented that it looked as though Under Secretary Murphy, and Beeley, his British counterpart, had worked out the basis of a temporary solution between Gaillard and Bourguiba. However, it also looked as though Gaillard did not have the parliamentary strength to put this solution through. If he tried to do so, this would be the signal for his overthrow in the Chamber. Murphy had done a wonderful job, and the situation was tragic.” (Memorandum of discussion, March 21; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
Dulles was asked about the agreement at a March 25 press conference; for the transcript, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, page 1091.