840.48 Refugees/4900: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—10:38 p.m.]
8974. Executive Committee of IGC will meet January 4th and consider Department’s recommendation for establishment of five IGC offices for assisting refugees. British Government is informing the Directorate that it is instructing its delegate to support the United States in the discussions. Meantime we have met with Foreign Office and IGC staff to discuss steps to carry the project forward and although opinion is that no diplomatic approach should be made before Executive Committee has opportunity to approve, nevertheless time might be saved (by better presentation to January 4th meeting and by more expeditious action pursuant thereto) if we could have within a few days Department’s reactions to the following ideas:
- 1.
- Neither Foreign Office nor Directorate see need for both British and American officer in each office and would not confine office personnel to those nationalities.
- 2.
- Certain of the offices might be unsuccessful unless in the charge of local nationals. This suggestion was made concerning Algiers and Lisbon.
- 3.
- In light of Turkish policy on refugees, no usefulness is foreseen for an office at Ankara, and Cairo is suggested instead, not of course to take the place of Merra but to cooperate with it.
- 4.
- The IGC should be charged with stipulated duties toward Fedhala Camp in connection with Algiers office.
- 5.
- Department’s approval is requested for approach to French Committee for suggestion of a Frenchman to head IGC Algiers office.
- 6.
- Kullman is shortly visiting Switzerland and might informally discuss possible IGC office there.
- 7.
- Can Department suggest Americans who might serve in various offices and proposed salary scales.