309. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of
State (Hill) to the President’s
Assistant for National Security Affairs (Clark)1
Washington, April 6, 1983
SUBJECT
- Presidential Message to President Bourguiba of Tunisia
Under Secretary Eagleburger will
travel to Tunisia and Algeria during the week of April 11.2 A major purpose in Tunisia will be
to reassure President Bourguiba
and his government of U.S. support for Tunisia’s security.
President Bourguiba, who regards
politics in intensely personal terms, is proud of his personal contact
with U.S. Presidents as far back as Eisenhower. Previous letters from President Reagan have impressed him enormously,
and we feel that a similar Presidential imprimatur is called for on
Under Secretary Eagleburger’s
basic message of reassurance.
We accordingly request that you approve the attached letter for Under
Secretary Eagleburger to
deliver to President Bourguiba.
Charles
Hill3
Executive Secretary
Attachment
Letter From President Reagan to Tunisian President Bourguiba4
Washington, April 8, 1983
Dear Mr. President:
It is a pleasure to extend to you my warm greetings in the spirit of
personal friendship we have developed. Ambassador Walters has reported to me that
his recent meetings with you and your able
[Page 643]
Prime Minister, Mr. Mzali, fully reflected the
closeness of our two governments.5
I have asked Ambassador Eagleburger to visit North Africa in view of our
important interests there. Tunisia is an important stop because of
our friendship, the strength of the ties that link our two
countries, and your enlightened leadership. The Under Secretary
carries a message from me and the people of the United States: we
stand with you and the people of Tunisia as friends and supporters
of your security and independence in these times of trouble.
As we have discussed in previous letters, I believe that the peace
proposal I enunciated on September 1 of last year contains the best
hope of resolving a dispute which brings sorrow to so many nations
and peoples.6 I also believe that
we must free Lebanon of foreign forces for a resolution of the
conflict to endure. Be assured of my resolve to pursue the goal of
peace consistently and vigorously in the time ahead. I hope that I
can rely on your frank and sage advice as we move forward on this
issue of truly global importance.
The United States was pleased to note that Tunisia played a part in
the recent diplomatic activity that promises to make the Maghreb a
more harmonious part of the world.7 We
hope that this auspicious development will continue with the benefit
of your counsel and wisdom.
With warmest regards,
Sincerely,
