Office of the Historian

740.00119 MPC/80

The British Embassy to the Department of State

Aide-Mémoire

His Majesty’s Government feel it is desirable to consider in what terms the French Committee of National Liberation are to be officially invited to participate in the Politico-Military Commission which the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union have decided to constitute to consider in the first instance problems relating to Italy. They accordingly suggest, for the consideration of the United States Government, that on the arrival of Monsieur Vyshinski in Algiers, (which will presumably take place [Page 788] between September 25th and September 30th) he, together with Mr. Murphy21 and Mr. Macmillan,22 should present identic notes to Monsieur Massigli.23 The enclosed draft contains the text of what His Majesty’s Government would regard as a suitable communication.

His Majesty’s Embassy would be glad to receive the views of the United States Government.

Washington , September 25, 1943.
[Enclosure]

Following is suggested draft.

I have the honour to inform you that the Governments of the United Kingdom, United States and Soviet Union have decided to constitute a Politico Military Commission to consider in the first instance problems relating to Italy. I am instructed to invite the Committee of National Liberation to appoint a representative to serve on this commission together with the representatives of the Three Powers. It is suggested that members of the commission should be civilian, political representatives who might, if necessary, be assisted by service advisers.

The members of the Commission would be supplied by the three Governments and by the French Committee for National Liberation with all relevant information on the political and military developments affecting their work, and they would, in their turn, report on local developments. They would make jointly or severally recommendations to the three Governments or to the Committee of Liberation but would not have powers to take final decisions. They would not, of course, interfere with the military functions of the Allied Commander-in-Chief.

It is proposed that with the approval of French Committee of National Liberation, the Commission should meet in the first instance at Algiers.

The precise scope and functions of the Commission will be defined later after consultation between the three Governments and the Committee of Liberation.

  1. Robert D. Murphy, Personal Representative of President Roosevelt in North Africa, with the rank of Minister; Chief Civil Affairs Officer at Algiers; and U.S. Political Adviser, staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater.↩
  2. Harold Macmillan, British Minister Resident at Allied Headquarters in North Africa.↩
  3. René Massigli, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the French Committee of National Liberation.↩