422. Editorial Note
On April 12, President Bourguiba gave Ambassador Walmsley an oral message for President Eisenhower. The two sides in the Algerian conflict were hardening, he felt, and he hoped Eisenhower would discuss this development during upcoming talks with President de Gaulle. (Telegram 1454 from Tunis; Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/4–1260) Secretary Herter sent Eisenhower a summary of Bourguiba’s message and a suggested reply on April 15. (Memorandum for the President; Eisenhower Library, Staff Secretary Records, International Series)
Telegram 1351 to Tunis, April 20, instructed Walmsley to inform Foreign Minister Mokaddem that Bourguiba’s comments had been conveyed to the President who appreciated receiving his assessment. Although the talks with de Gaulle would focus on plans for an East-West summit, they would probably also include a general review of the international situation, including Algeria. Eisenhower would keep Bourguiba’s views in mind during any discussion of Algeria. (Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/4–1260)
On May 9, the Department of State transmitted to Tunis a message from Eisenhower to Bourguiba. The President was “gratified” by his conversation with de Gaulle, who had confirmed in response to Eisenhower’s direct query that France stood by its offer of self-determination to Algeria. The Department instructed Walmsley to deliver this message orally to Bourguiba and, if the opportunity arose, “to draw him out on Algerian problems,” particularly the frontier situation. (Telegram 1423 to Tunis; Eisenhower Library, Staff Secretary Records, International Series) Regarding de Gaulle’s visit and his conversations with Eisenhower, see Document 309.
Walmsley reported on May 11 that he had delivered the message and that Bourguiba had been “quick to acknowledge his gratitude to the President for the knowledge of his discussion of Algeria with de Gaulle and for the confirmation of the security ‘assurances’ he said the President had given him last December.” In response to Walmsley’s inquiry, Bourguiba stated he was not really worried about a French invasion or a threat to Tunisian sovereignty, although he was concerned about the manner in which French troops were evacuating the installations around Bizerte. (Telegram 1638 from Tunis; Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/5–1160)