881.01/10–2644
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of African Affairs (Lewis)
| Participants: | Mr. Michael Wright, Counselor, British Embassy; |
| Messrs. Villard,90 Lewis, Wasson,91 AF. |
Mr. Wright came in to follow up a recent conversation between Sir Ronald Campbell92 and Mr. Villard in regard to the future of Tangier. Mr. Villard had made the suggestion that with the end of the war in sight, consideration might appropriately be given as to the Spanish position in the International Zone and the steps which might be regarded as desirable there by members of the United Nations at the end of hostilities. In Sir Ronald’s absence, Mr. Wright had been asked to discuss the matter in the Department.
Mr. Villard reviewed recent developments in Tangier as reported to the Department by the Legation, indicating that the Spanish might be preparing to abandon their military occupation in favor of a substantial civilian interest in the administration. He then referred to the conversations which Mr. Murray93 had had in London with Mr. Frank Roberts of the Foreign Office, on the subject of the International Zone, at which time it was agreed that a further exchange of views on the future status of Tangier would in due course be desirable. Mr. Villard said that recent events at Tangier, as well as the present course of the war, seemed to indicate that the time had arrived for a discussion between the British and ourselves on the subject for the purpose of concerting our thoughts.
Mr. Wright said that while he was personally unfamiliar with the situation in Tangier and with his Government’s thinking on the future status of the International Zone, he would be glad to bring Mr. Villard’s suggestion to the attention of the Foreign Office and would ask for documentation on the present British attitude toward the Spanish occupation and other matters related to this problem.