740.00112 European War 1939/5330
Press Release Issued by the Department of State, April 7, 1942
As a result of conversations with the French Government8 relating to a resumption of the program of economic assistance under the North African agreement, satisfactory assurances with regard to the issues involved have been received from the French Government which will permit the agreed departure of two French vessels now in New York with cargo of limited supplies for North Africa.
Conditions governing previous shipments with the undertaking that the supplies thus received or their equivalent shall not in any way serve to further Axis ends, will likewise regulate these shipments and their distribution to the local populations under the direct supervision [Page 281] of American control officers. No military supplies of any character are to be included in the shipments.
It is also agreed that a simultaneous departure of two ships carrying materials from North Africa to the United States will take place.