840.48 Refugees/4060: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
Washington, July 28,
1943—9 p.m.
4539. Your 4810, July 23, 9 p.m. The Department is in accord that it is desirable to reach a preliminary understanding between the British and American representatives and concurs with the recommendations in the numbered paragraphs of your telegram with the following exceptions:
- 1.
- While it is undoubtedly desirable that a French representative should attend this meeting since French North Africa is to be utilized, the Department does not feel that we should ask the Committee to appoint a representative until our relations with the French Committee of National Liberation are clarified. There is no objection to having the British discuss the matter informally with the French authorities in North Africa with a view to having the latter select a representative. If our relations with the Committee are defined prior to the meeting, all will be well. If not, we would desire the French representative to attend the meeting on a clear understanding that his attendance would not be regarded as affecting the question of our relationship with the French Committee of National Liberation.
- 4.
- We believe that the Director should issue formal invitations to the potential new members without any diplomatic approach being made beforehand, as proposed. The public is certain to note and to inquire concerning the omission from any announcement of new member countries of any country which may have declined membership. Accordingly, we feel that such a country should not be in a position to state that no invitation had been issued to it, leaving the British and American Governments to explain.
Hull