Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVII, Part 3, North Africa

202. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tunisia¹

Washington, May 4, 1979, 2257Z

113911. Subject: Letter to Tunisian Prime Minister Nouira.

1. (S) Entire text.

2. Following is text of letter signed by Secretary Vance on May 3, 1979 to Tunisian Prime Minister Nouira. French text follows. Please deliver text of letter and translation as soon as possible.

3. Begin text:

Quote: Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I have been very pleased to learn from Secretary Kreps of the success of the recent Joint Commission meeting. She also described to me her conversation with you.²

As I indicated during your visit to this country last November,³ the United States remains committed to assisting in your country’s continuing efforts to develop its economy and improve the living conditions of the Tunisian people. I understand that during the Joint Commission meeting and the subsequent visit of Export-Import Bank President John Moore⁴ there were very encouraging discussions about the contributions which the American private and public sectors can make to this process. I recall your particular interest in the development of central Tunisia and have been pleased to learn that initial agreements will be signed with your government in the very near future. Discussions already have begun with Ambassador Hedda on the achievement of the objectives of the new Subcommission on Education and Cultural Exchange.

In your talks with Secretary Kreps, you emphasized the need to bring the Palestinians into the Middle East peace process. I can assure you that the United States Government regards their participation as essential to the achievement of a just and viable peace. They are, as you know, invited to attend the negotiations that are to open within one month as members of the Egyptian or Jordanian delegations.⁵ We hope they will choose to engage themselves in the negotiations, because it will be through such engagement that they can best influence the outcome of the negotiations. We hope Palestinian leaders will realize that these negotiations offer the first real opportunity they have had in thirty years to make significant progress toward the realization of their legitimate aspirations.

These negotiations will be difficult, but President Carter and I are determined to do everything possible to help the parties achieve a successful outcome. President Bourguiba, you, and Tunisia’s other early leaders have experienced personally the frustrations but also the ultimate success of protracted negotiations. I hope you will remind others of your eventual success and encourage those reluctant to participate in the present process to overcome their understandable hesitation and join the effort to achieve a settlement providing justice for all concerned.

Permit me to use this occasion to express my hope that you will join those resisting any attempt to expel Egypt from the Islamic Conference. I think you will agree that the survival of moderate government in Egypt is important to peace in North Africa. The current campaign to punish Sadat will, if successful, encourage the least responsible in the area, undermining the security of the region and the position of moderates in it.

Sincerely, Cyrus Vance End quote. End text.

[Omitted here is the French translation of the text.]

Vance

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 89, Tunisia: 7/78–7/80. Secret; Immediate. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room.
2. See footnote 3, Document 201.
3. See footnote 3, Document 199.
4. Moore visited Tunisia March 31–April 4. In telegram 2906 from Tunis, April 10, the Embassy summarized Moore’s meetings. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790166–0796)
5. In telegram 4080 from Tunis, May 18, Bosworth reported Nouira’s gratitude for the letter and his skepticism about the planned negotiations: “He said he noted that U.S. position continued to be that Palestinian participation in the second round of negotiations could be accomplished through inclusion of Palestinians in the Egyptian and or Jordanian delegations. He said this seemed most unlikely. There is no way that Sadat can speak for the Palestinians and it is unlikely that Jordan will agree to participate in the negotiations, much less agree to the CDA formula on Palestinian participation. In the meantime, events within the Arab world are going from bad to worse. The Prime Minister said he is increasingly convinced that some new move is required on the Palestinian issue and that this can only come from the U.S.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790225–0917)