Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969–1972

160. Letter From President Nixon to President Bourguiba ¹ ²

Washington, March 14, 1972

Dear Mr. President:

With deepest appreciation, I wish to thank you for the warm sentiments conveyed to me in your recent letter which was delivered personally by Ambassador El Goulli. I think often of the close and friendly ties that have long existed between our two nations and of the very special affection which the United States and the American people have for you.

It was in the spirit of our rapport that I asked Ambassador Calhoun to share with you some of my early thoughts concerning my visits to Peking and Moscow. I feel very strongly that close consultations with our good friends, such as Tunisia, are essential in pursuing our mutual objectives of world peace and security. As a further step in these consultations, I have asked Ambassador Calhoun to convey to you some of my observations following my return from the People’s Republic of China.

It is always appropriate and useful that Tunisia and the United States maintain close contact, not only because our nations share common international goals, but because the United States remains deeply interested in Tunisia, both in its security and in its development.

You may be assured, Mr. President, that with the resources that are available, the United States will continue to do what it can to assist in Tunisia’s further development.

I also wish to express to you my personal admiration for the unflagging efforts you have made to promote world peace and to further human understanding. I look forward to close and continuing cooperation between our two nations.

With warm personal regards,
Sincerely,

Richard M. Nixon

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL TUN-US. Unclassified. In a February 24 memorandum to Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Kissinger, Eliot had recommended that the President respond to Bourguiba’s hand-delivered letter, in recognition of Bourguiba’s status as a long-standing ally and to soften the blow of the U.S. refusal to provide a requested $7.3 million in internal security assistance. (Ibid., POL 15–1 TUN)
2. Nixon authorized Ambassador John Calhoun to advise Bourguiba of the outcome of his talks in Peking and Moscow, and pledged as much Tunisian development assistance as resources allowed.