740.0011 European War 1939/12970: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 10—10:30 p.m.]
899. Practically the entire press here carries this morning under a Damascus headline an article of the situation by a correspondent of the Daily Telegram which contains an authorized statement on the subject by General Catroux that may be briefly summarized as follows:
The slow progress of operations in Syria is due to the desire of the Allies to avoid shedding as much blood as possible and accordingly there is a delay in realizing Syria’s nationalist aspirations. So long as Syria is not entirely in Free French hands it will be impossible to conclude with Syrian Government a treaty providing for the country’s independence. Every part of Syria, whether occupied by Free French or Vichy forces, has the right to be heard.
The treaty which will be made with Syria will not be modeled upon the Anglo-Egyptian, Anglo-Iraq or any other treaty or draft treaty. “It will be a Franco-Syrian treaty establishing and guaranteeing Syria’s independence which adapted purely to the local situation will derive inspiration from all the experience secured in this respect in recent years in the Near East. Meanwhile, in all my acts will take into consideration Syria’s interests, political as well as economic.”