740.0011 European War 1939/12811: Telegram

The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

867. My 859, July 2, 11 a.m. I am confidentially informed that the following are the terms of reference under which Captain Lyttelton will assume office here.

As Minister of State and member of the War Cabinet he will act as the representative of the War Cabinet, carry out its policy and use its authority. He will be fully informed of the approved policy of the British Government. He will refer to the War Cabinet for guidance if necessary and in any event will report constantly to it through the British Embassy here and the Secretary of the War Cabinet. He may also communicate personally with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense.

His principal task will be to ensure the successful conduct of operations in the Middle East by: (a) relieving commanders-in-chief of extraneous responsibilities with which they have hitherto been burdened; (b) giving political advice not hitherto available locally; (c) settling indeterminate matters within the policy of the British Government which involve local authorities such as relations with the Free French, relations with the Emperor of Abyssinia, administration of occupied territory, propaganda and subversive warfare, financial and economic warfare, general supervision of the activities of the [apparent omission] are all general including matters locally connected with American supplies [apparent omission] and prisoners of war. On all such matters he will report to London and receive directives on important issues. He will preside over meetings of commanders-in-chief whenever urgently necessary.

On the diplomatic and political side he will cooperate with British representatives in Egypt and the Sudan, Palestine and the Trans-Jordan, Iraq (which for operational purposes will remain under the Indian command), Abyssinia, British Somaliland [apparent omission], Syria when occupied, and Cyprus. It is specified that the maintenance of relations with such officials does not in any way detract from their existing responsibilities or affect their official relationships with departments in London.

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With the implementation of the foregoing mandate together with the development of the activities of General Haining as Intendant General and the expected injection of new spirit as a consequence of the change in the Commander in Chief, Middle East, it is hoped that the lack of coordination, direction, initiative and accelerated action in the war effort in this area which has been heretofore marked may be corrected.

General Auchinleck arrived here several days ago and Captain Lyttelton is expected tomorrow.

Kirk