881.00/8–2945: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Fullerton) to the Secretary of State

5222. From Villard. Final session of Tangier Conference took place today. Soviet delegation on instructions from Moscow declined to modify its position re participation of Spain but agreed to sign Final Act at same time making following declaration in form of an annex to that act:

“In signing this Final Act the Soviet delegation adheres to the point of view it has previously expressed according to which although the Spanish people is incontestably interested in the administration of the [Page 652] International Zone of Tangier and although Spain must be called eventually to participate in appropriate international organizations, this participation of Spain in the administrative organisms of the Zone of Tangier cannot be admitted until the regime of General Franco in Spain, a regime installed through the support of the Axis Powers and which represents in no manner the Spanish people, shall be replaced by a democratic regime.”

The Conference agreed to this procedure and to have the chiefs of the respective delegations take note of the declaration by signing this annex.

The Conference agreed that in the same manner a second declaration would be made by the French, British and American delegations reading as follows:

“The American, British and French delegations deem that it is not desirable that Spain should be called to the Conference of the signatory powers of the Act of Algeciras so long as the present Spanish Govt remains in power and suggest that at the proper time the French Govt should consult the American, British and Soviet Govts on this subject.”

A second paragraph reads as stated in Embtel 4986, Aug. 17 already approved by Dept with exception of mention of Soviet Govt.

As a consequence of foregoing it was decided to eliminate the whole of resolution NR 2 and paragraph 2 of resolution NR 3 (see Emb despatch Aug 2381). No other changes were made either in the Final Act or in the agreement which have not already been reported to Dept.

Signature will take place at the Quai d’Orsay at 5 p.m. Aug 31. Please urgently authorize me to sign Final Act and two annex declarations. Text of proposed press communiqué for release morning papers Sept 4 will follow.

Repeated Tangier 49, Madrid 331, London 632, Moscow 306; sent Dept 5222. [Villard.]

Fullerton
  1. Not printed.