865C.01/13
Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: The following is a paraphrase of a radiogram received from General Eisenhower this morning addressed to the Combined Chiefs of Staff:
“It is my recommendation that, regardless of questions of ultimate command, a decision be made that administration under American policies of territories liberated in North Africa cease at the eastern boundary of Tunisia. I recommend that the civil administration in Tripolitania be considered as coming within the sphere of the British Chief Political Officer of the Middle East. The effect of this will be to establish the eastern boundary of Tunisia as a line dividing primary responsibilities of civil administration between the United States and Great Britain.”
At a conference with the Joint Chiefs of Staff this afternoon the President directed that this matter be referred to the State Department for direct discussion and settlement with the British Foreign Office. In this connection the President clearly indicated that in his opinion all of Tripoli is definitely linked to Tunisia and Northwest Africa both socially and economically. He stated that he felt that the negotiations should be aimed toward including Tripoli under the area of American responsibility. The President stated that this was his opinion but that he would not make any great point of it.
I am sending a radio to General Eisenhower informing him that this matter has been referred to the State Department.
Sincerely yours,