851D.00/94: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers ( Wiley ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 24—10:15 a.m.]
467. From Murphy. My 442 March 20, 7 p.m. Before his departure from Algiers, Rapenne called on us to discuss the local situation at Cayenne. He was informed in general of the contents of Cayenne’s telegrams received to date and advantage was taken of this conversation to discuss the question of making the airport at Cayenne available for use of American Air Forces. Rapenne assured he would be prepared to take immediate steps upon his arrival to see that this would be done and undertook to discuss the matter both with General Walsh at Natal and with LaMont.
Rapenne is a career colonial administrator. He was governor of the Nigek [Niger] in 1938–40 and of the Soudan from December 1940 until May 1942. From that date he has been on leave as he refused to return to France and placed himself at Boisson’s47 disposal in November. He gave the impression that he was anxious fully to cooperate with the United States in matters affecting French interests in the Western Hemisphere.
Repeated to Cayenne. [Murphy.]
- Pierre Boisson, Governor General of French West Africa.↩