851.01/2215a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Algiers (Wiley)
1077. For Murphy’s consideration. There are convincing reasons to believe that engagements or promises may have been made by either of the French elements represented on the Committee of National Liberation in some cases of an international character which in the view of this Government should by clear definition not be carried over or held binding in any of the future commitments or even deliberations of this new Committee. The Department suggests therefore you should take this matter up most confidentially with General Giraud or such of his immediate associates as you may determine to the end that it shall be clearly understood if not indeed publicly set forth in the minutes of the Committee that any commitments of an international character made by any members of the Committee prior to the formation of that body shall by unanimous decision not be held binding or applicable upon that Committee; and furthermore the Department suggests that it should be well for the Committee also to have clearly set forth in its early minutes that any agreement of that body, more especially in the international field, does not constitute an engagement and is not binding unless it has the full assent of both Presidents, and the collective agreement of the Committee itself.
When the time comes for this Government to deal with the Committee of National Liberation it will expect to be fully informed regarding any and all commitments or obligations for which it has assumed responsibility in the international field.
A report from you on this matter will be awaited with interest.