Roosevelt Papers: Telegram
The President to the Secretary of State1
In reply to your message transmitted as White 38,2 I am convinced that this is not the time to make any final decisions or plans relating to Civil Affairs for France. The whole situation in North Africa is complicated but the general attitude of the Committee and especially De Gaulle is shown in the Lebanon affair. De Gaulle is now claiming the right to speak for all of France and is talking openly about how he intends to set up his government in France as soon as the Allies get in there.
I am increasingly inclined to the thought that the occupation when it takes place should be a wholly military occupation.
I see no need for any further discussion at this time, though I may discuss it informally when I see the Russians.3
I saw Vishinsky four days ago4 and I don’t believe the Russians will press for any immediate action. I am showing this to Churchill and I hope we can hold up the whole matter until we can see the picture more clearly.
- Sent to the White House Map Room, via military channels, and presumably forwarded by the Map Room to the Department of State; Department of State copy not found.↩
- Telegram of November 24, 1943, ante, p. 392.↩
- For the discussion of problems concerning France at the Tehran Conference, see post, pp. 484, 509, 514.↩
- See ante, p. 310.↩