740.00119 EAC/9–1944
The Delegation of the French Committee of National Liberation to the Department of State 98
Following the note addressed on July 2599 by the President of the European Advisory Commission to the French Chargé d’Affaires in London, the Provisional Government of the French Republic has already had the opportunity to emphasize the vital interest it takes in the discussions which are being held at present between the American, British, and Soviet Governments concerning the armistice conditions with Germany and, more generally, the essential importance that France attaches to all questions pertaining to the German problem.
The Provisional Government of the French Republic has now settled in its normal seat in the French capital, wherefrom the Allied armies have chased the enemy with the participation of the French people. Until free elections become possible, it is backed by the unanimous and enthusiastic adhesion of the liberated population.
Therefore, the Provisional Government has the duty to call the attention of the Governments of Washington, London, and Moscow to a question which requires an immediate solution in view of the present accelerated pace of military operations. While the problem of the German capitulation is one of vital importance to France, the other questions which will arise from the collapse of the Reich cannot leave her unconcerned, particularly: the restoration of the countries invaded by Germany, the eventual setting of new frontiers, and, generally speaking, the reestablishment of fruitful and peaceful relations between the states of continental Europe—all questions which [Page 92] will have to be dealt with by the European Advisory Commission during the following weeks.
Therefore, the Provisional Government of the French Republic has the honor to request the American, British, and Soviet Governments to be admitted to sit on the Commission so as to allow France to take her part in the task of the reconstruction and reorganization of Europe. It trusts that this request will meet the views of those Governments and will be pleased to send a representative to the Commission as soon as it receives an invitation to do so.
- Handed to the Secretary of State on September 19, 1944. The Department informed Ambassador Winant of this communication in its telegram 8037 to London, October 2, 1944, 7 p.m., and added: “It is suggested that you endeavor through your colleagues on the Commission to ascertain the views of their Governments on the French request. If they ask for your views, you may say that final decision has not been reached but that matter is receiving sympathetic consideration.” (740.00119 E.A.C. 9–1944)↩
- See p. 63.↩