Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

890E.01/9–1344

Memorandum of Telephone Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Kohler)

[Washington,] September 13, 1944.

I called M. Baudet¹⁰ today and confirmed to him that a decision had been taken to extend full recognition to the Republics of Syria and Lebanon, as was suggested to him by Mr. Alling¹¹ in their conversation on September 7.¹²

M. Baudet asked whether we were seeking the approval of the French authorities. I told him that it was my understanding that we were simply giving them friendly advance notice on the assumption that there was no need for clearance with them since they were themselves receiving an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the Republics of Syria and Lebanon and since other Powers had exchanged such representatives with these States.

M. Baudet thanked me for this information and said that they would inform their “Government”.

10. Philippe Baudet, member of the Delegation of the French Committee of National Liberation in the United States.
11. Paul H. Alling, Deputy Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs.
12. Memorandum of conversation not printed.