299. Letter From Tunisian President Bourguiba to President Reagan1
The close, friendly relationship between our two countries prompts me to inform you of the extent of my concern about recent developments in the Middle East. The avowed purpose of the Israeli attack on Lebanon, which is greater in scope than all similar previous operations against that country, seems to be the total destruction of the Palestinian resistance.
This aggression—which borders on genocide—has aroused the indignation of all countries and people who love freedom and justice. The already intense indignation of the Arab countries is compounded by a feeling of legitimate frustration about such flagrant violations of the principles of law and international ethics.
For this reason we deeply appreciated the unanimity initially expressed by the Security Council in establishing a direct link between the need for a cease-fire and the withdrawal of the Israeli troops.
I must tell you, however, that we were surprised by your delegation’s veto of the resolution presented to the Security Council by Spain, a Western friend.2 This action disappointed and disturbed all those who share with the United States the same values of justice and liberty.
I am convinced that the irresponsible acts of the Israeli government threaten not only to make the peace to which we all aspire less attainable but also to satisfy the ambitions of all those who count upon the frustration of the Arab peoples to establish their influence decisively throughout the Middle East, the Arab world, and the Islamic community.
That is why I am appealing to you personally, in the name of our common ideals, so that there may be a clear and categorical end to the schemes of Israel and its government, schemes whose fanaticism only serves the interests of the enemies of freedom.
I greatly fear that if the United States does not fully assume its responsibilities in this matter, the countries which enjoy its friendship [Page 622] will find themselves in a situation that is at best awkward and at worst untenable.3
Accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my very high consideration.
- Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Head of State File, Tunisia: President Bourguiba (8205139–8302312). No classification marking. Printed from a translation prepared in the Division of Language Services, Department of State.↩
- Reference is to UN Security Council Resolution S/15185, June 8, which demanded that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon.↩
- In telegram 4506 from Tunis, June 14, the Embassy reported that Bourguiba’s recent public “expression of ‘profound regret’ at US support for Israel in the aftermath of the invasion of Lebanon” was “not Bourguiba’s style, particularly where the US is concerned, and the fact that Bourguiba authorized Mzali to make the statement is an indication of how upset he is. The statement also reflects the Tunisian Government’s efforts to deal with the public’s bitterness over the Israeli invasion and U.S. policy.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D820310–0033)↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩