Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of France Henri Bonnet, Jacques Schricke, James C. Bonbright, and Daniel Wainhouse

4437 COOURITY IMPORMATION A/S DEPARTMENT OF STATE 486 92 Memorandum of Conversation DATE: March 19, 1952 SUBJECT: TUNISIA and PARTICIPANTS: The Secretary H.E. Henri Bonnet - French Ambassador Mr. Jacques Schricke, 2nd Secretary, AND French Embassy SERVICE" Mr. Bonbright - EUR Mr. Wainhouse - UNP COPIES TO: s/s (2) S/P Amembassy - Paris EUR Amconsul - Tunis NEA UNA (p) USUN (2) U. s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 The French Ambassador accompanied by Mr. Schricke came in at the Secretary's request to discuss the question of Tunisia. The Secretary began the conversation by stating that there are two aspects to the problem - the substantive aspect which relates to a program for direct French-Tunisian negotiations, and the Security Council aspect. The Secretary stated that we are aware of the French desire to avoid the appearance of a cause and effect relationship between their actions and events in the United Nations. He stated further that he was pleased that the matter is now before the French Cabinet, and hoped that rapid progress would be made in resuming negotiations. The Secretary stated that anything that the French can tell us about the program will help us in acting with a sense of conviction. The Ambassador commented that he did not know much about the program which the Cabinet has today approved and which is going forward to the French representative in Tunisia. With respect to the Security Council aspect, the Secretary stated that we are doing our best to hold off the Asian-Arab agitation in New York for Security Council consideration. He said that our efforts will work for a time but not for very long. If the matter is brought to the Security Council two problems arise: (1) the question of inscribing the item on the agenda; and (2) if the matter is inscribed, the question of competence. With DECLASSIFIED Ele O. 1632, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) ex 5-19-16 SESURITY INFORMATION Dapr. of Aug -9.1973 ES) HC NARS Dote 7-15-76