Tunisia, 1973–1976


117. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Tunisian Secretary for National Defense Bennour discussed U.S. military assistance with Noyes. Bennour expressed concern over possible cancellation of grant aid, and that improved U.S. relations with Egypt might be accomplished at Tunisia’s expense.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–770054, Box 22, Tunisia. Confidential. Prepared by Deputy Director, Africa Region/ISA Col. A.N. Skogerboe on May 16; and approved by Noyes. The meeting took place in the Pentagon.


118. Letter From the Acting Coordinator for Security Assistance of the Department of State (Vest) to the Director of the Defense Security Assistance Agency (Peet)

Summary: Vest informed Peet of the extension of $2.5 million in FMS direct credit to Tunisia with a repayment period of 8 years.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–800025, Box 2, Tunisia. Confidential.


119. Telegram 7659 From the Embassy in Tunisia to the Department of State

Summary: Seelye reported on the Tunisian Government’s request for additional military assistance to counter perceived threats posed by Libya and Algeria.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Tripoli, Algiers, Rabat, and Cairo.


120. Telegram 1349 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State

Summary: Stein offered his assessment of the Libyan threat to Tunisia.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country File for Africa, Box 3, Libya, State Department Telegrams (9). Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Tunis, Algiers, Cairo, and Rabat. In January 1974, Libya and Tunisia signed the Djerba Treaty of Unity. Under the terms of the agreement, Tunisia would hold the Presidency and Libya would hold the Defense Ministry. Bourgiba pulled out of the agreement in February.


121. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Ford and Nouira discussed U.S. military training and equipment for Tunisia.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 11. Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original. The meeting took place in the Oval Office.


122. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Kissinger and Foreign Minister Chatti discussed U.S.-Tunisian relations. Chatti asked for greater cooperation in meeting Tunisia’s economic and defense needs.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 277, Memoranda of Conversations, Chronological File, September 1975. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Robert Oakley; and cleared by Atherton. The meeting took place in room 35A at the Waldorf Astoria. NSDM 278 Joint Cooperation Commissions, October 22, 1974, sought guidance from the NSC Under Secretaries Committee on the terms of cooperation agreements with several countries, including Tunisia. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSSM and NSDM, Box 1, NSDM File, NSDM 278—Joint Cooperation Commission) Kissinger and Chatti announced an agreement to begin discussions on a commission between Tunisia and the United States, on November 9, 1974. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Institutional Files, Box 10, NSDM 278—Tunisia)


123. Telegram 747 From the Embassy in Tunisia to the Department of State

Summary: Seelye informed the Department of Tunisia’s growing concern with perceived threats from Libya and Algeria. Seelye noted that continued U.S. interest in Tunisian needs provided psychological reassurance to the regime, and served as a possible deterrent to Tunisia’s enemies.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P840105–0766. Secret; Nodis.


124. Telegram 156311 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tunisia

Summary: In an aide-mémoire given to Hedda on June 23, the Department outlined the economic and military assistance that the United States would provide Tunisia.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, National Security Council Staff for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 24, Tunisia. Confidential. Drafted by Lewis Murray in NEA/AFN; cleared by NEA, and S/S; and approved by DeFord. Telegram 157442 to Tunis, June 25, transmitted the memorandum of conversation. (Ibid.)


125. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Habib Bourguiba, Jr., and Ford discussed Tunisian security assistance, and the threat posed by Libya and Algeria.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 20. Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. In telegram 166454 to Tunis, July 3, the Department reported on the July 2 meeting between Bourguiba, and Habib. Bourguiba expressed his concerns about Qadhafi and Boumediene and the impact defense spending might have on the Tunisian economy. (Ibid., NSC Operations Staff for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 27, Visits File, Tunisia, Bourguiba, Jr.)


126. Telegram 184120/Tosec 190110 From the Department of State to Secretary of State Kissinger in Portland

Summary: Kissinger was informed of Mulcahy’s July 22 meeting with Chatti, and was presented a series of recommendations to address Tunisian concerns.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Weislogel and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Arthur R. Day; cleared by Deputy Director of Politico-Military Affairs Richard A. Ericson, Special Assistant of the Office of Research and Analysis for Near East and South Asia George S. Harris, Otto, and Collums; and approved by Habib. In telegram 5177 from Tunis, July 23, Mulcahy summarized his meeting with Chatti on July 22, during which they discussed Tunisian concerns regarding Qadhafi’s intentions and the need for more U.S. military and diplomatic support in the event of a crisis. (Ibid.) In telegram 184239 to Tunis, July 25, Kissinger informed Mulcahy of steps taken to address Tunisian concerns, and instructed him to deliver a message informing the Government of Tunisia of continued U.S. support. (Ibid.)


127. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Chatti and Kissinger discussed Tunisia’s security concerns. Chatti asked for U.S. military assistance in the form of grants rather than credits.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 277, Memoranda of Conversations, Chronological File, October 1976. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in Kissinger’s office. Drafted by Alec G. Toumayan in OPR/LS; and approved by Collums.


128. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford

Summary: Scowcroft requested that Ford issue a determination to utilize Foreign Military Sales (FMS) guaranties to finance the sale of the Chaparral air defense system to improve Tunisia’s defense capabilities against Libya and Algeria.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Operations Staff for the Middle East and South Asia Affairs, Country File, Box 24, Tunisia (4). Confidential. Sent for action. A stamped notation on the document indicates the President saw it. Tabs A and C are attached, but not published. Ford signed Presidential Determination 77–6 on November 5. (Ibid.)