881.00/8–1345: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:25 p.m.]
4889. From Villard. Tangier Conference on August 11 was devoted to examination of point 1 (see Embassy’s telegram 4855, August 1056) and agreement in principle was reached for convoking within 6 months from the reestablishment of a provisional international regime of an international conference in Paris for the establishment of a definitive regime.
We proposed that if agreement could not be reached within 12 months on a permanent regime the question be referred to the United Nations Organization. Although we had been privately informed before the meeting that the British and Soviet delegations were in favor of this proposal they offered no official support of it whatever. The French delegation stoutly opposed it on legalistic grounds although the real reason for their opposition is undoubtedly the fear of ultimate administration of Tangier by the UNO (United Nations Organization) with possibility of this being an opening wedge for the extension of UNO (United Nations Organization) jurisdiction over the whole of Morocco.
The principal argument which does not appear relevant by the French was that article 54 of the Statute provided a means for the settlement of disputes regarding the Statute.
Unless Department considers we should press for our suggested emendation we feel that in view of the above situation it would be better to withdraw our proposal and at a later date propose inclusion in draft agreement of formula approved by Department in its telegram 3582 July 31.57 If concurrence cannot be obtained on this from the other delegations we might then include formula in reservations accompanying our acceptance of eventual invitation to collaborate in administration of Tangier.
Paraphrase to London, Madrid, Tangier and Moscow by pouch. [Villard.]