851.01/3869a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers (Chapin)
1613. Following account of conversation between Dunn and Monnet on May 20 is for information of Murphy and Chapin.
[Page 690]Monnet inquired whether Dunn could inform him regarding attitude of this Government in event of action by Committee to change its name to that of Provisional Government of the French Republic since Committee was considering issuance of a decree to that effect. Dunn stated that as far as he knew there was no possiblity of this Government dealing with any “Provisional Government” of France at this time since it would not be considered here that such a government existed. Monnet expected that this would be our position. He then asked whether, if Committee continued to deal with this Government as the French Committee of National Liberation, we would have any objection to its being called Provisional Government as far as France was concerned, or for other external purposes. Dunn stated he was not in position to give categorical answer to a question of that kind but said that he foresaw that the use of the title Provisional Government of France by any group or body would create many difficult questions in the relations between this Government and such a body which in his opinion it would seem highly desirable to avoid. Dunn concluded by expressing his personal opinion that it was unfortunate that there was any mention or discussion of the change of the name of the Committee at this particular time.
Repeated to London for Phillips.89
- Presumably William Phillips, American Political Officer, with the rank of Ambassador, on the Staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, London.↩