840.50/2787: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:25 p.m.]
1778. From Murphy. Department’s No. 1717, September 21; and 1723, September 21.27 Massigli informs me that although certain objections are seen as regards the form of organization provided, the Committee has nevertheless agreed to proceed to the signature of the revised text of the draft agreement for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. In his note conveying this decision, it is further pointed out that, as stated in its communication of August 13 (see my telegram 1419, August 15) the Committee would like to negotiate as quickly as possible an agreement which would set forth the form of cooperation to be established between the French administration and the United Nations Administration. In so far as France itself is concerned, the national administration would, with the assistance of the United Nations Administration, if necessary, undertake internal distribution of products.
The Committee further desires to underline the vital importance which it attaches to the fact that the relief organization for civilian population must being [begin?] to operate during the period of military operations. In its opinion relief for Europe will be ineffective unless it is immediately given and unless some continuity can be established between the period of active military operations and the period which would follow. The Committee, therefore, proposes that import programs should immediately be prepared in agreement between the national administration and the Allied High Command which would permit the national administration effectively and uninterruptedly to coordinate the distribution of aid furnished by the Allies with local resources. The Committee therefore hopes that it will be possible promptly to work out arrangements with the Allied Governments to afford the greatest possible aid to the civil populations. It considers that these arrangements with the Allies can most [Page 1005] effectively be carried out through the conclusion of an agreement fixing the relation of the French authorities and the Allied High Command during the period of military operations along the lines of its proposal of September 7 (see my telegram No. 1578, September 10 midnight28). Furthermore the Committee points out it is essential that as soon as possible France should take its place in the Central Committee referred to in article III of the draft.
The communication added that the Committee was prepared to sign the agreement without any reservation under article IX.
The Committee also attaches importance to the preparation of the agreement both in the French and English languages, the latter to remain the official text. A French text of the agreement has been prepared by Massigli and will be submitted by airmail. [Murphy.]