Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

to E.O. 12065, Guidelines, Sec. March 7-26-83 6, 1982 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON State By Dept. DEB NLT, Date. May 5, 1952 SECRET SECURITY INFORMMATION SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS TUNISIA Embassy Paris reports considerable resistance on the part of Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Maurice Schumam, regarding our representations on the Tunisian issue. Schumann expressed surprise as to the lack of understanding on the part of the US Government regarding the French position and the difficulties they are having. He believed that this was tantamount to our becoming a party to the Asiatic-Aral drive which was purely propaganda, the result of which could only benefit Stalin. He said that the US position of non-abstaining, if it became known, would cause a dangerous reaction on French public and Parliamentary opinion. He believed that this would raise a question in the minds of members of the Parliament as to how far the solidarity of the Atlantic nations could be maintained in solving particular problems. He foresaw a serious effect on NATO and possibly even the defeat of the EDC if the US broke solidarity over Tunisia, "an issue where France con- sidered it right to expect solidarity. " Ambassador Dunn told Schumannthat our feeling re- garding NATO meant solidarity in fact and in all its deepest meaning, in- cluding defense, security against aggression, in political matters and in increasing our mutual strength in improving economic and social con- - ditions. Dunn noted that his understanding of this solidarity was that it did not mean blind acceptance by one government of actions taken by another without consultation. In this case, the US Government had a real problem of public opinion to deal with and solidarity could be achieved only by a policy which took it adequately into account. Dunn made a point of stressing how difficult it was for our people to understand the internment of former Prime Minister Chenik and his ministers. Dunn believes that Schumam's reaction was typically tempermental and that our position will receive a more measured consideration. GERMANY In a conversation at Bonn, General Eisenhower and Chancellor Adenauer reviewed several of the outstand - ing European problems. General Eisenhower said he believed we are on the threshold of developments of historic importance whereby Europe will move steadily toward unification, with Germany being integrated into SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION