851.33/285: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Leahy)
143. Your 309, February 27, noon. Please transmit the following note to the Foreign Office.
“The Government of the United States has taken note of the statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France relating to the agreement of April 8 restricting the movement of the Dunkerque. The records of the Department of State fail to show that the agreement of April 8 was made conditional upon sending necessary foodstuffs from the United States to unoccupied France and to North Africa and arrangements with the British not to interfere with legitimate French commercial shipping. The note to which the Minister of Foreign Affairs referred stated that the agreement to give prior notification of any movement of the Dunkerque should facilitate the foregoing but in no sense was acceptance of the latter conditions ever made a condition to the agreement.”
The Department would appreciate receiving confirmation from you that the Dunkerque’s repairs will require approximately 2 years and that it will be unavailable for service for this period.