Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume II

890d.01/7–2145: Telegram

No. 1340
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Acting Secretary of State¹

secret

Paris, July 21, 1945—4 p.m.

4396. Bidault insisted again this morning that he can get no satisfaction whatever or any answer at all from the British in regard to the Levant situation. They simply do not reply. He said that their “numerous concessions” have meant nothing at all[;] the British continue in their endeavors to eliminate them from every phase of activity in Levant. He said that de Gaulle is getting increasingly restive under this. He was very much upset by the British endeavors to have US send American citizens to take part in Mira? He said that he understands very well that the British would like to get us involved with them but that he very much hopes that we will not swallow the bait. France would interpret this as our aiding British efforts to kick them out of that part of the world. …

Sent Department, repeated London as 535 and Beirut 45.

Caffery

1. The gist of this message was included in telegram No. 106 of July 23 from Grew to Byrnes (file No. 800.00 Summaries/7–2345).