Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western Europe, Volume VII, Part 2

254. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

PSV/MC/15

October 2, 1959.

SEGNI VISIT

SUBJECT

• Algeria

[Here follows the same list of participants as Document 252.]

The Prime Minister said that Africa was of very great interest to Italy because of Italy’s geographic closeness to Africa. Africa was strategically important to Italy. At the present time Africa was the object of a vast Communist propaganda campaign. With respect to Algeria, the Prime Minister believed that President de Gaulle’s declaration¹ had opened a new way to a solution since never before had the French recognized the possibility that Algeria could be detached from France. General de Gaulle’s declaration was very important and it would be of interest, said the Prime Minister, to have the Secretary’s views with respect to the attitude of NATO countries on the declaration. The Prime Minister hoped that the situation in the UN last year when the NATO powers were divided on the Algerian item would not be repeated this year. He considered that the situation this year was more favorable to France.

The Secretary said that the President’s statement² following de Gaulle’s declaration gave full support to General de Gaulle’s efforts to find a liberal solution to the Algerian problem with special emphasis on self-determination. The Secretary stressed that the President’s statement, although a strong one, did not mean that we supported the French plan in every detail. The Secretary recalled that the President had said that he wished to consult with his advisors before commenting on details. The Secretary also recalled his recent statement at the UN Foreign Press Lunch.³ He said that it was impossible for us to go further than these two statements at this time since we did not know just how far a UN resolution on Africa would go. Nevertheless, he thought that the conclusion could be drawn that the NATO countries would be a solid unit in support of General de Gaulle’s efforts. The Secretary recalled that when he had discussed this question with Foreign Minister Pella at Geneva some time ago,⁴ it was not possible then to give any assurances with respect to our position but he now thought that the Italian and American positions would be close.

Mr. Pella said that he also had been in a state of perplexity at Geneva. Italy had expressed the hope to the French subsequent to the talk with the Secretary that some new factor would present itself in this problem which would make it possible for France’s friends to be helpful. Mr. Pella said that although he had not been sure that the French would produce some new proposal, he had felt it desirable to express this hope. He indicated that Italy had also indicated to the French that other unnamed but authoritative friends felt the same way.

The Secretary said that we had been encouraged by the actions of President Bourguiba and generally speaking the reactions of the Provisional Algerian Government had not been too bad.⁵ We felt some encouragement in this regard.

Foreign Minister Pella said that in the likely event that the French made no further statement in the UN, it may be assumed that some nations would be inclined to introduce a resolution hostile to France. He said he assumed that France’s friends would reject such a motion. The Secretary said he thought this was likely.⁶

The Prime Minister said he was happy to find the US and Italy in agreement on this delicate and complex matter. It was his hope that France would be able to resolve this question soon because it would be a great relief to us all.

0. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1490. Secret. Drafted by Stabler and approved by M and S on October 26. See also Documents 252–253 and 255–258.
1. In a September 16 radio broadcast, de Gaulle offered the Algerian people a free choice by referendum on their future government within 4 years of a cease-fire.
2. For text of Eisenhower’s statement, see Department of State Bulletin, October 12, 1959, p. 500.
3. For text of Secretary Herter’s statement and excerpts from his discussion with the press that followed, see ibid., pp. 502–504.
4. At the Geneva Foreign Ministers Meeting May 15–August 5, 1959. A copy of the memorandum of conversation is in Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1341.
5. On September 28, the Provisional Algerian Government indicated its willingness to negotiate on the basis of de Gaulle’s September 16 offer. President Bourguiba of Tunisia endorsed the de Gaulle plan on October 1.
6. France boycotted the General Assembly debates on Algeria in 1958 and 1959. In both sessions, resolutions introduced by Afro-Asian nations calling for recognition of Algeria’s right to recognition failed to gain the two-thirds majority of votes needed to pass.