Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador Henri Bonnet of France, Gabriel Van Laethem, Daniel Wainhouse, and William E. Knight

S 501 DEPARTVENT OF STATE MEMORANDUA OF CONVERSATION cy 20%24 ON DATE: May 16. 1952 168 duplicate SUBJECT: Forthooming talk with M. Schoman about North Africa PARTICIPANTS the Secretary Corf Ambessador Bonnot. Fronch Habassy. Mr. Van Lasthon. Tronoh Enbassy. Mr. Wainhousl, UHP Mr. Knight xtra COPIZS EUR - Nro Verkine (2) G - Mre Matthews EUR - Mx. Nilliamson S/B- Jessup copy WE a Mr. Byington U as Mx. Bruce we em MoHride S/P- Nr. Nitme NEA - Vro Borry S/S UNA es Aro Hickorson UNF at Mro Wainhouse Boinet called under instructions to propare the way for a discussion on the mbject of North Afriom which Mr. Robers Schuman wisbes to have Tith the focrotary leter this month is Paris. Aminssador Bumnts otarten the conversation by saying that he had heard that Mr. Schuman vas somowhat encouraged about the prospocts of having the Contractual Relationships Agroement and the EXC Treaty signed in accordance with tiro ourrent schedule calling for the #2410 and 25the of May. The Secrotary agreed thet these had Amproved and mentioned the dates of the 24th and 25th the Kronch Ambassador thon referred to Mro dosire to talk with the Sucretary in Taris not only abomt Punisia but also about North Africa as a wholo and said that he had loen instruoted to cover the mubject in o prelininary Tashion in ordes to facilitato the subsequent talks botwoen the Ministers. Kr. believes that it is urgont to avoid nisumderstandings botwean the U.S. and Trance as thom uro exploited Ray a minority of extramiste in North Africa yhore they are doing their bost to provent the stablistment of roform progrims mutually agroid botween the Fronch and looal populations. These misury @retandings also play into the hands of those extremists who are to roopen consideration of the Tunisian question is the UN in the expectation that the U.S. will 2100 itsolf in a nore difficult position to ?rustrato their mensuvers. Accornine DECLASSIFIED STATE DEPT. LTR. 5.5-73 Project NLT F2.4 By NLT- HC NARS, Date 6-15-73