NEA Files: Lot 55–D36
Statement by the United States and the United Kingdom Groups
French North Africa
The American group referred to efforts which M. Bidault1 had made to work out a plan which would give a greater degree of participation in the Government of French North Africa to the native population. Unfortunately, these plans had been kept strictly secret, and it was now a question whether, following the new French municipal elections, these liberal plans would be made public and pursued. Unless a progressive program looking forward towards the development of eventual self-government was adopted, fears were entertained of serious difficulties in French North Africa within the next few years. It was American policy to try to do nothing to offend the French [Page 610] in North Africa, but at the same time to avoid seeming unfriendly to Arab Nationalists in view of the United States Government’s desire, under appropriate circumstances, to be of friendly assistance to both sides in reconciling their differences along progressive lines. This policy was apparently not always appreciated by the French, who were very sensitive on this subject.
The British group said that the British view was in general agreement with the above, and expressed the hope that the two Governments would continue to exchange views on this question.
- Georges Bidault, French Foreign Minister.↩