Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

890E.01/5–1845: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

Paris, May 18, 1945—7 p.m.
[Received 9:25 p.m.]

2763. Chauvel took careful note of the message contained in Department’s 2104, May 16, but remarked that he had not seen any offer from the British for “the simultaneous progressive withdrawal of both French and British troops from the Levant States”. The British Prime Minister in his letter to de Gaulle had spoken of a withdrawal of British troops “at the moment a treaty has been concluded and is in operation between the French Government and the Syrian and Lebanese Governments”.

Duff Cooper when approached in connection with the Department’s telegram was very vague and had nothing new to offer.

As reported in my 2522, May 11,¹³ he told me then that the Prime Minister¹⁴ was feeling much more cheerful about the whole business.

Sent Department as 2763, repeated to Beirut as 19.

Caffery

13. Not printed.
14. The British Prime Minister.