31. Editorial Note
At the 371st Meeting of the National Security Council on July 3, Director of Central Intelligence Allen Dulles discussed France during his briefing on significant world developments. That portion of the memorandum of discussion by S. Everett Gleason, July 5, reads:
“Turning to France and General de Gaulle, Mr. Dulles pointed out that the new French Prime Minister was facing two emerging problems of some magnitude. It was clear from all the reports that there was much uneasiness in the French Army in Algeria with respect to de Gaulle’s leadership. This was particularly true among the younger officers in the Army. While General de Gaulle has not lost control of the French forces in Algeria, he would not find it easy sailing in future dealings with them. Secondly, Mollet’s courageous stand, in risking his political future by Nenni Socialists in Italy, and ally themselves with the French Communists.
“Mr. Dulles pointed out that the Governments of Tunisia and Morocco have agreed in principle to the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Sino-Soviet bloc nations. Such relations may actually be established in the near future.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)