811.24551U/24
The Consul at Brazzaville (Taylor) to the Secretary of
State
No. 70
Brazzaville, September 17,
1942.
[Received October 6.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my
telegraphic despatches Nos. 92 of August 21, 1942 and 131 of September
12, 194240 and my
despatches Nos. 36, July 27, 1942, 41, August 10, 1942, 56, September
10, 194241 and 58, September 11, 1942, concerning the American
airport at Pointe-Noire.
General Fitzgerald, in charge of operations in Central Africa, visited
Brazzaville today with Mr. Burnham, Director of Socony-Vacuum at
Leopoldville. A conference was arranged with M. Laurentie,
Secretary-General, with regard to paragraph nine of the agreement
reported in my despatch No. 58, of September 11, 1942. The paragraph
states that the Administration agrees to the installation of gasoline
tanks and pipe lines at Pointe-Noire under terms to be agreed upon by
the Fighting French authorities and the Socony-Vacuum. Mr. Burnham,
supported by General Fitzgerald, requested that provisions concerning
the disposition of the equipment after the war be included in the
agreement. M. Laurentie and Colonel Carretier, Chief of the Fighting
French Air Force, agreed that there was no authority in French
Equatorial Africa capable of assuming the responsibility for such an
agreement. M. Laurentie stated that the Americans were authorized to
install, use and supervise their equipment at Pointe-Noire during
hostilities. Any agreement that went beyond that would have to be made
by the National Committee at London.
M. Laurentie produced a telegram received from London which was a copy of
instructions to the Fighting French Delegation in New York. The
instructions authorized the installation at Pointe-Noire, giving details
of buildings, equipment and personnel anticipated. The last paragraph
states that all equipment will revert to the French State without cost
at the end of hostilities.
I have been informed by representatives of the American Army that the
installation at Pointe-Noire is not indispensable to the proper
functioning of the southern flight route. If the conditions imposed by
the National Committee are too severe for acceptance it would be
possible to move the coastal base to Boma or another place in the
Belgian Congo. The Pointe-Noire base has already been divested of much
of its utility since the hospital and post office have been transferred
to Leopoldville. Pointe-Noire will be
[Page 589]
used as a refueling depot for planes which are
unable to reach Leopoldville without refueling.
A few changes have been made in the draft of the local agreement
concerning Pointe-Noire. A copy of the final draft is enclosed with this
despatch.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure]
Memorandum of Agreement
Contracting Parties:
The Government General of French Equatorial Africa.
The Army of the United States of America.
Scope of Agreement:
The construction and maintenance of buildings and facilities
necessary to the operation of the air base at Pointe-Noire including
accommodations for the American troops to be stationed there.
Points of Agreement:
- 1/
- The Port authorities at Pointe-Noire undertake to grant first
priority for the disembarkation of troops and baggage.
- 2/
- Priority will be granted for the discharge of war materials at
Pointe-Noire as far as possible and in agreement with the
British authorities concerned.
- 3/
- The right of requisition of supplies available at Pointe-Noire
is granted to the American Forces in emergency cases only and on
condition that they be replaced as soon as possible.
- 4/
- All supplies and equipment destined for the American Forces
will be granted free entry. Such information as the customs
authorities may desire concerning such supplies will be
furnished on request.
- 5/
- Authority is given to install one 10 KW radio station and one
300 watt radio station.
- 6/
- Authority is given to build a new runway 1750 mts. long and
diagonal to the present runway.
- 7/
- The control of the air field will be in the hands of the
American Aviation Authorities and will include the control of
the landing, distribution and taking off of all planes. The
Chief of the base will be a French Officer who will be appointed
to assist American authorities and act to permit or deny the use
of the field to planes of neutral or friendly countries other
than those of the United States and to have control of all
French Military air operations. It is understood that tactical
operations will have priority on the field.
- 8/
- Sufficient ground adjacent to the air field will be granted to
the United States Army for the purpose of constructing buildings
for housing personnel and for the storage of equipment.
- 9/
- Authority is granted for the installation of gasoline storage
tanks and necessary pipe lines. The installation will be
constructed, managed and subsequently leased to a contractor
selected by the United States. Under the terms of the lease to
be agreed upon between the Government General of French
Equatorial Africa and the contracting party, all installations
will remain the property of the United States during the period
of hostilities. The contractor shall have the right to sublease
any or all installations upon thirty (30) days notification in
writing. Final disposition of all installations will be the
subject of further negotiations between the two
countries.
September, 1942 For the Government General of French Equatorial
Africa.
September, 1942 For the Army of the United States of
America.
