851R.00/146½
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Reber)
| Participants: | Mr. Lemaigre-Dubreuil of General Giraud’s Civil Affairs Staff, Mr. Georges-Picot, Liaison Officer with the Giraud mission, Mr. Ray Atherton and Mr. Reber |
In discussing the future situation in North Africa Mr. Lemaigre-Dubreuil said that prior to his departure he had had several discussions with Admiral Darlan, Admiral [General] Giraud and others envisaging the creation of a system in North Africa, which would not only provide adequate administration for North Africa but a framework for the unification of all French elements outside Axis-occupied French territory. The establishment of such a system would, no doubt, now be facilitated by the removal of Admiral Darlan from the scene. The primary objective, naturally, of the organization would be to bring all French elements into the war together.
Lemaigre-Dubreuil felt that this could be achieved through an organization to be headed by General Giraud as High Commissioner. He would be assisted by a consultative group composed of three members to advise him in dealing with civil and political problems so that he could devote his principal energies to the prosecution of the war. These three members would deal respectively with empire problems, relations with other governments and internal North African matters. It is also envisaged that an imperial council and a council composed of the Conseils Généraux of North Africa to be re-established by ordinance would constitute the executive bodies of the organization. The latter, naturally, would deal with North African affairs and would be reconstituted in accordance with the democratic traditions of the Third Republic. The imperial council would include delegates from all unoccupied French territories, [Page 493] North Africa, New Caledonia, French Equatorial Africa, the French Antilles et cetera.
According to his information, General de Gaulle would be prepared to associate himself in some way with this organization, perhaps by becoming a member himself of the Consultation Committee or the Imperial Council or by appointing delegates to the latter. In any event Mr. Lemaigre-Dubreuil felt that it was important that contact be re-established with General de Gaulle and hoped for that purpose General de Gaulle’s visit to the United States could be expedited as he was empowered by General Giraud to deal directly with de Gaulle in this sense.
If some such organization could be established, thereby creating unity among the various French elements, it would expect early recognition by foreign governments as a provisional government until such a time as the French people are free to signify their own choice of a government.