890D.01/642: Telegram
The Consul at Beirut (Gwynn) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 1—9:47 a.m.]
319. At his request I have just seen de Gaulle. He handed me copies of five messages between himself, Casey and Churchill which I will transmit as soon as physically possible.
Under date of today de Gaulle wired Casey.
“…54 it is incumbent on the French Command to assure the military direction of the Allied Forces in Syria and Lebanon. I propose to you that the change be effected as of September 10. Naturally the French Command is ready to discuss before that date with the British Command the modalities which might be useful.”
Franco-British relations here are at the breaking point. I will wire further as soon as possible. In the meantime I shall only say [Page 627] that in reply to my question as to how the United States might be useful, de Gaulle said in one way only, by bringing pressure to bear on the English in an effort to convince them that they should live up to their signed engagements.
Repeated to Cairo.
- Omission indicated in the original telegram.↩