159. Memorandum of Conversation1 2

SUBJECT:

  • U.S. Response to GOT Request for Internal Security Assistance

PARTICIPANTS:

  • Ambassador El Goulli
  • Tunisian Ambassador
  • Mohamed Azouz Ennifar
  • First Secretary Tunisian Embassy
  • David D. Newsom
  • Assistant Secretary for African Affairs
  • Michael V. Connors Country Officer for Tunisia

Mr. Newsom said that he wished to convey certain decisions that the USG has reached concerning several recent requests by Tunisia for assistance, particularly the request for internal security assistance. Mr. Newsom explained that only after a very thorough and time-consuming examination of all the possible alternatives involved, was it possible to arrive at these decisions.

Mr. Newsom frankly informed Ambassador El Goulli that the means of the USG to provide assistance in the internal security field have become very limited. Mr. Newsom said that in the months that have passed since officers of our Embassy in Tunis met with Tunisian officials to reduce the internal security request to its most essential elements; an important element of Congress has been revealed that it is against public safety assistance. He referred to the Senate’s recent amendment to the appropriation bill proposing that public safety programs be limited to financing from security assistance funds.

Mr. Newsom said that while every effort was made to respond in a positive way to the Tunisian request, given the mood of Congress, the USG has concluded that it cannot provide assistance to Tunisia in the area of internal security. Mr. Newsom assured Ambassador El Goulli that the U.S. remains very interested in [Page 2] Tunisia and will continue to make a substantial effort to assist in Tunisia’s development. In this connection, Mr. Newsom informed El Goulli that the US is prepared to demonstrate its special friendship for Tunisia by considering the addition of $1 million to the Agricultural Sector Loan now being developed in AID.

Mr. Newsom referred to the recent US decision to open negotiations in Tunis on the addition of 60,000 tons of wheat and 10,000 tons of soybean oil to the FY 1972 PL 480 Title I Agreement. The value of these additions is about $4 million. He pointed out that the U.S. remains Tunisia’s major assistance donor with proposed FY 1972 loans and grants totaling nearly $40 million, or about 11 percent of the total US economic assistance to Africa.

Mr. Newsom expressed hope that the very substantial development assistance which the USG is providing under very tight budgetary circumstances will help Tunisia meet its varied requirements and perhaps free Tunisian foreign exchange for any purchases of internal security equipment Tunisia might wish to make. He added, that should Tunisia wish to consider buying internal security equipment, the US would be prepared to offer TDY services, on a grant basis, of a public safety expert to advise on purchases.

Ambassador El Goulli expressed appreciation for the US decision to open negotiations on adding wheat and oil to the current PL 480 Agreement and for the offer to add $1 million to the AG Sector Loan. He said, however, that his government will be disappointed that the US will not be able to assist in meeting Tunisia’s internal security needs. El Goulli asked whether the question of internal security assistance might be reviewed in the future. Newsom replied that this should be considered the final decision on the Tunisian request.

Mr. Newsom said that the long study which preceded our decision carefully assessed all of the problems involved. He noted that there are never problems with the Congress concerning the economic program in Tunisia. However, when one discusses internal security assistance problems do arise.

Ambassador El Goulli asked whether the program loan might be used to procure some of the non-military type items included in the internal security request, for example, communications equipment. (Note: The Ambassador was probably referring to electrical generators. There was no mention of communications equipment in the request as delivered.) Mr. Newsom said that [Page 3] public safety purchases under the program loan would not be appropriate, noting that the expenditures to be made under that loan were generally determined last year when it was prepared.

Mr. Newsom said that it is now AID policy to concentrate assistance in specific economic sectors. For this reason, the usual program loan in Tunisia is being replaced this year by an agricultural sector loan. In offering to seek the addition of $1 million to that loan we are hopeful that the GOT would be able to free foreign exchange for any internal security purchases that it might wish to make.

Military Assistance. The Ambassador asked whether there was any word yet about the FY 1972 military assistance program for Tunisia. Mr. Newsom replied that legislation has not yet cleared Congress and until it does we will not be in a position to discuss the Tunisian program. He expressed regret that the complicated internal processes of the USG may seem sometimes to make life difficult for our friends.

In concluding, Mr. Newsom emphasized that the US response to Tunisia’s request for help represents a very considerable effort, under difficult circumstances, to assist a friend. He noted, for example, that there are certain risks in seeking to enlarge the AG sector loan, when the objective is to free Tunisian foreign exchange for public safety purchases. Ambassador El Goulli expressed his understanding of the problems posed by the Tunisian request and said that he would seek to place the US response in proper perspective for his government.

  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23 TUN. Secret. Drafted on March 3 by Michael Connors and cleared by Newsom.
  2. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Newsom informed Ambassador El Goulli that the United States would be unable to comply with Tunisia’s request for internal security assistance.