APPEAL BY TUNISIA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28435, 15 November 1957, Page 15

APPEAL BY TUNISIA

Arms Sought From West

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) PARIS, Nov. 14. The French Cabinet was last night, called into a sudden special session—its second meeting yesterday—to discuss what was described as the “development of the situation regarding the possibility of supplying arms to Tunisia.’’

The 105-minute meeting, which is understood also to have discussed a threatened revolt within the coalition over anti-inflation plans, followed the receipt of an American Note on Tunisia’s request for arms from the United States and Italy. The request followed a French refusal to supply Tunisia with arms for fear some of them would find their way to the Algerian insurgents.

America and Italy are understood to have held off failing a French agreement, but there are fears that Tunisia might turn next to the East.

The Tunisian request for arms, which was made to the United States a few months ago, was sympathetically received. The United States replied that it would try to help Tunisia in obtaining arms from Western Europe.

Tunisia also asked Italy for arms, but the Italian Government is understood to have suspended action pending agreement by the French Government.