851R.01/52½
Memorandum by the Acting Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Atherton) to the Under Secretary of State (Welles)
Mr. Welles: In compliance with the desire expressed in your memorandum of December 2,91 a telegram has been prepared for Henderson (attached).92
May I enlarge on my previous reasoning as to this policy in the proposed telegram. It is to be noted that Molotov asks that the Soviet Government should be “first consulted” before we take any steps towards setting up a government in North Africa. In my estimation this means obtaining prior approval of the Soviet Government. This is quite different from keeping them fully informed as to developments. In the latter Eu entirely concurs. There is the further consideration that even if we agree to the commitment as Molotov seeks events might not make it possible. (If we had had such a commitment with the Russians Eisenhower’s arrangement with Darlan would have been a breach of faith.)
On the other hand, although Molotov makes this request, I should be adverse to seeking from him a compensating assurance that the Soviets would keep us informed as to their future intentions before political action, since in the setting up of political administrations by the Russians in new territories, they could claim in that case this was done with the prior knowledge of the United States, and in any return (when military successes permitted) to the old frontiers of 1941, in which we are so vitally concerned, they would not feel it necessary to advise us at all.
Should the President desire to go beyond compliance by advising the Soviet Government we should “be prepared merely to keep them informed,” I venture to suggest that the inherent problem be discussed in a conference. If, on the other hand, the President should be satisfied with merely informing the Soviet Government of the present status of the political situation in North Africa, then I suggest that this telegram be redrafted in that sense.