2. Editorial Note
On February 8, French planes bombed the Tunisian village of Sakiet Sidi Youssef, one-half mile from the Algerian border. Sixty-eight Tunisians were killed and approximately one hundred thirty were injured. On February 9, the Tunisian Government reported the attack to the U.N. Secretary-General and on February 13 formally requested a Security Council meeting. The United States joined the United Kingdom in extending its good offices on February 15 to help in the solution of the Franco-Tunisian problem. On February 18, the Security Council met to consider the dispute. The U.S. and U.K. Representatives told the Council that both interested parties had accepted their good offices proposal on February 16 and that affirmative suggestions for solutions would be made. Debate in the Council was postponed without setting a date for resumption.
On February 19, Deputy Under Secretary of State Robert Murphy was appointed to represent the United States in exercising his government’s good offices in conjunction with the United Kingdom, and Harold Beeley, Assistant Under Secretary for Middle Eastern Affairs, was named the British good offices representative. For documentation on the British and U.S. efforts to help solve this crisis in March and April and its final resolution, see volume XIII, pages 817 ff.