862.33/243: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Frcmce (Leahy)
197. Your 381, March 12, 8 p.m. You may inform Admiral Darlan in response to his communication cited in your telegram under reference, that due note has been taken of the assurances with regard to the entry of belligerent war vessels and airplanes in French possessions and territorial waters in the Western Hemisphere. It is further understood that the agreement not to permit war vessels or military planes to enter French ports in no sense modifies the commitments accepted by the French Government and embodied in the Robert–Greenslade agreement and the arrangement reached between Admiral Robert and Admiral Home.
In the operation of these agreements and for the safeguarding of the interests of the United Nations in the defense area of the Caribbean, the Government of the United States, however, reserves full liberty of action in connection with French colonies which it may consider necessary for the defense of the Western Hemisphere. In reserving this liberty of action the United States Government, however, declares that it has no intention to alter the basic French [Page 623] sovereignty of the territories in question whatever temporary measures are required by the exigencies of a developing war situation.