890D.01/9–3045: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:45 p.m.]
5787. London’s 9885, September 24 to Dept.69 Chauvel states that “on technical level” a draft formula for withdrawal of British and French troops from the Levant was worked out in London for consideration by British and French Govts.
He said that it was made clear to Britain, however, that the French ‘Govt could not divorce the question of withdrawal of troops from other questions relating to France’s position and facilities in the Levant in particular and Near East in general and, therefore, French Govt could only seriously consider the troop withdrawal formula when formula for the other problems had been found.
He added that the British had been requested to give the French a general outline of their views on the whole Near East question without, of course, making any firm commitments so that Franco-British relations and policies could be coordinated. He said that thus far the British had not set forth their general views and expressed the personal opinion British over-all policy in Near East has not as yet crystallized.
Repeated to London.