771.00/3–1153: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Legation at Tangier

confidential

403. Dept does not believe it incumbent upon this govt to define its position Tangier under Protocol November 10 by replying specifically to four questions put forward by French Minister (Legtel 417, March 11).1 Accordingly Dept believes that in answering French Minister you should confine yourself to statement along following lines.

Protocol of November 10, 1952 constitutes only amendment to Anglo-French Agreement of 1945 duly adopted by Committee Control in accordance with provisions Article 8 thereof. In this connection it is to be noted that none of specific amendments to 1945 Agreement included in Protocol modify in any way rights of United States under Anglo-French Agreement 1945. This being case position of United States in Tangier including status of its Representative on Committee Control and its Representatives in Legislative Assembly remain same as that accorded to US by Anglo-French Agreement.

Statement made by US Representative in Committee Control at its March 3 meeting2 regarding reservation of United States treaty rights was undertaken to preclude possibility of any future misunderstanding arising among the nations represented on Committee regarding continued validity of reservations set forth by the US when it accepted invitation extended under terms of 1945 Agreement to participate in Committee and for purpose of making this fact matter record in the minutes of Committee.3

Legation’s comments requested.

Dulles
  1. Supra.
  2. Ante, p. 206.
  3. Witman formally expressed these views to the Committee on Mar. 24. (771.00/4–1753)