392. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tunisia1
1119. Following based on uncleared memorandum of conversation between Secretary and Tunisian Ambassador June 27:2
Slim asked to see Secretary because he wished mention number of problems prior to Secretary’s meeting with De Gaulle.3 He felt there would be difficulties in Bizerte base negotiations with France because GOF insistence on keeping base exclusively French while Tunisia would prefer other Free World forces share in its use. Also, Tunisia would find it difficult permit French use of Bizerte for support of operations in Algeria.
On subject Algeria, Slim said Tunisians had hopes De Gaulle would find solution but his declarations about integration4 not cause for optimism. Integration idea, Slim added, was not new and Algerians will not accept it. Tunisians were worried whether De Gaulle can take constructive steps in Algeria in face of elements which had brought him to power.
Slim informed Secretary Tunisians and Moroccans seeking North African grouping within “Free World concept.” This could not happen until Algeria free, but if North African grouping eventually emerged it could be fitted into larger Western Mediterranean grouping provided North Africans treated as equal partners. Slim told Secretary certain FLN leaders expressing fear that Secretary’s meeting with De Gaulle will affect US policy in manner detrimental to interests of North Africans, and to ultimate best interests of US.
Secretary expressing appreciation Slim’s presentation stated he fully agreed re importance of problems on which he understood Slim did not expect immediate reply. Secretary stated this French Government had made more progress in North African problems than its two predecessors and that though he not informed as to De Gaulle’s further intentions it likely remaining problems will be dealt with in stronger fashion than previously. Secretary added Slim could assure his Government he would do nothing at Paris contrary to US-Tunisian friendship. Though US-Tunisian views may not always coincide, Secretary [Page 849] said, nothing would be done which would adversely affect independence of Tunisia or just solutions for problems of North Africa area.5
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 651.72/6–2758. Secret. Drafted by Porter, cleared by Jova and McAuliffe, and approved and signed for Dulles by Porter. Repeated to Paris and Rabat.↩
- Not printed. (Ibid., 772.00/6–2758)↩
- Dulles visited Paris, July 3–6, for consultations with the De Gaulle government.↩
- For text of De Gaulle’s June 13 address on his policy aims, see Major Addresses, Statements and Press Conferences of General Charles de Gaulle, May 19, 1958–January 31, 1964, pp. 9–10.↩
- Dulles referred to his conversation with Slim when he met with Couve de Murville on July 5. Couve de Murville felt Bizerte should be kept on a bilateral basis, noting it would be difficult to achieve a permanent agreement until the Algerian problem was resolved. The United States and France should continue to cooperate regarding arms and economic assistance for Tunisia. (Memorandum of conversation; Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199)↩