851R.01/252
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Reber)
| Participants: | Mr. Lemaigre-Dubreuil, |
| Mr. Georges-Picot, | |
| Mr. Atherton and | |
| Mr. Reber |
Following his conversations with the Secretary and the Under Secretary on January 9 Mr. Lemaigre-Dubreuil called on Mr. Atherton. [Page 39] It was agreed that the memorandum of the Secretary’s conversation which was comprehensive could serve as the memorandum of his conversation with the Under Secretary as well and be submitted to General Eisenhower. Mr. Atherton stated that it had been agreed that civil representation in the United States should be accorded General Giraud. A civil representative would be attached to General Bethouart’s42 mission whose position would be similar to that occupied by Murphy on General Eisenhower’s staff.
Mr. Lemaigre-Dubreuil felt it was important to further elaborate the points he had made in his earlier conversations particularly with regard to the proposed declaration of General Giraud in order that it should be perfectly clear that General de Gaulle should not be in a position to claim that he is better able to represent French interests than General Giraud. General Giraud’s declaration would say that since no government in France existed he was acting as a trustee for the defence of French interests until such a time as the French people would be free to choose a government. Since it is important that the attitude of the United States and the other Allied Governments be clearly understood the declaration of General Giraud should be followed by a declaration by the President who would confirm that in the opinion of the American Government no French Government existed and that he recognized General Giraud as an ally and entrusted with the military defence and responsibility for the protection of French interests which would constitute a trusteeship until such time as the French people could themselves take over in their own behalf. Either the President’s declaration or the proposed modification of the Darlan–Clark protocol might likewise reaffirm the spirit of the exchange of letters which have taken place between General Giraud and Murphy with regard to the recognition of the former as an ally in full possession of sovereignty. It was agreed that Mr. Lemaigre-Dubreuil would discuss this declaration with General Eisenhower upon his return and that the Department would await General Eisenhower’s report before undertaking further to comment upon the proposed declaration.
Mr. Lemaigre-Dubreuil added that a further point should be considered as regards greater freedom in the use of French African funds particularly as it was important to establish some organ which would represent the French African position in this country and counteract adverse propaganda from other established French newspapers or magazines.
- Maj. Gen. M. E. Bethouart, Head of General Giraud’s Military Mission to the United States.↩