145. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary (Eliot) to the President’s
Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1
2
Washington, August 24, 1970
Subject:
- “Straws in the Wind”—Changes in Tunisian Foreign Policy
Enclosed for your information is a memorandum prepared for the Acting
Secretary by the Bureau of African Affairs.
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Enclosure:
Information Memorandum Prepared in the Bureau for African Affairs,
Department of State
Washington,
undated
SUBJECT:
- “Straws in the Wind”—Changes in Tunisian Foreign Policy
Since Masmoudi’s assumption of
the foreign affairs portfolio in June, Tunisia has moved quite
quickly to reassert its non-aligned standing and harmonize its
foreign policy with prevailing Arab and “third world” attitudes,
from which it has kept its distance over much of the past
decade.
We need not regard the change as inevitably unfavorable to us.
Normalization of relations with Arab and Third World nations could
reduce Tunisia’s vulnerability and—conversely—our need to underwrite
many of Tunisia’s needs precisely because it has isolated itself
from so many of its neighbors and peers.
- —With the Radical Arabs. The
Tunisians have pushed for a detente with the radical Arabs.
Improved relations with the Libyans have been the personal
concern of Prime Minister Ladgham and the Foreign Minister. Diplomatic
ties with the UAR have been reestablished at Ambassadorial level
and plans are underway to send a Charge to Baghdad.
- —With the Third World.
Masmoudi has declared his
readiness to attend the Lusaka conference and his intention to
take an active stand on non-aligned, particularly African
liberation issues.
- —With the Communist World. In a
recent conversation with Ambassador Calhoun, the Foreign Minister reported his
meeting with a North Korean delegation. While he gave
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no sign of Tunisian
interest in relations with North Korea, he expressed his
government’s interest in recognizing North Vietnam (in addition
to the Saigon government which Tunisia already recognizes) and
East Germany because of the progress made by the FRG with the Soviet Union and the
East Germans. In addition, we understand the GOT has authorized the Soviet
cultural mission in Tunis to make full distribution of Soviet
information and propaganda.
It is not entirely clear whether the GOT really plans to move to recognize the GDR and the
DRV, or whether Masmoudi is
probing for a US reaction. A clear statement of West German and
American interests could suffice to cool Masmoudi’s ardor. We have asked Ambassador Calhoun to discourage Tunisian
relations with North Vietnam and East Germany.
