800.24/1453
The British Ambassador (Halifax) to the Secretary of State
Sir: In an aide-mémoire dated October 30th, 1943, His Majesty’s Embassy had the honour to inform the Department of State that His [Page 15] Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom were anxious to coordinate closely their policy in the Middle East with that of the Government of the United States, and that while the Middle East was an area of essential strategic importance to the British Commonwealth, His Majesty’s Government hoped that the Government of the United States would be prepared to collaborate with them closely in that area, for which purpose a mutual understanding of each other’s aims was much to be desired.
It was stated that His Majesty’s Government would accordingly greatly welcome the visit to London of one or more high American officials for the purpose of an informal exchange of views both on current questions and on some problems that might arise out of the war, in the hope of securing full mutual understanding. The discussions might, in the view of His Majesty’s Government, cover not only political questions but also any other Middle Eastern questions which either Government might wish to raise; it would for example seem useful that the two Governments should exchange views on the future development of Anglo-American cooperation in economic matters, in respect of which certain ideas were briefly outlined.
The aide-mémoire concluded by stating that His Majesty’s Government suggested that the conversations should cover Syria, the Leban-non, Palestine, Trans-Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Persia, the Persian Gulf States, and Afghanistan, and that they were not thinking of including a discussion on Turkey or Egypt on this occasion.
In its aide-mémoire of November 29th the Department of State replied that the Government of the United States was in full accord with the view of His Majesty’s Government that a mutual understanding of the aims and interests in the Middle East of the two Governments was highly desirable, and that it considered also that informal discussions in regard thereto might be instrumental in achieving this purpose. It was believed however that prior information of the specific questions which the British Government proposed to discuss, and of their viewpoint in respect of these questions, would be helpful in achieving the objects both Governments had in view. If the American Government desired to discuss additional subjects, due notice would be given. The view of the United States Government was expressed that the discussions should include Turkey, Egypt and Ethiopia.
His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom welcome the readiness of the Government of the United States to fall in with their suggestions. On their part they agree that the proposed discussion should include Turkey, Egypt and Ethiopia in accordance with the view expressed in the Department of State’s aide-mémoire: as also suggested therein, they will prepare a list of points for discussion.
[Page 16]With regard to His Majesty’s Government’s invitation for one or more high American officials to visit London for the purpose of an informal exchange of views on the matters in question, the Department of State replied in their aide-mémoire of November 29th to the effect that owing to difficult problems of transportation in war time which such a visit would present, and since it was believed that both Governments would wish to utilise the services of officials qualified to discuss technical matters, it would be more practicable to hold the proposed discussions in Washington than in London.
This, it was suggested, would meet the exigencies of war time conditions and was based upon the belief that His Majesty’s Government had stationed in Washington a number of technical and financial experts whose services could be utilised in connexion with the discussion of Middle Eastern matters.
The desire of His Majesty’s Government is that the talks should take place wherever they can most usefully be held. His Majesty’s Government do not, unfortunately, have in Washington technical and financial experts qualified in the subjects concerned. Furthermore, the close interests and special responsibilities of His Majesty’s Government in the areas concerned make it in their view most desirable that these problems should receive detailed consideration in London, where much specialised information and experience could readily be made available for the discussions. His Majesty’s Government would for these reasons greatly hope that the United States Government would feel able to concur in their suggestion that the exchange of views on these questions, which so closely affect His Majesty’s Government, and for some of which His Majesty’s Government bear so direct a responsibility, should take place in London.
It is unnecessary to say that any representatives whom the United States Government may decide to send there will be warmly welcomed.
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