711.56371A/7–2254: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
297. Deptel 4540, June 11.1 Yesterday afternoon I called on Koenig and left with him aide-mémoire, copy of which being forwarded airmail,2 setting forth U.S. military requirements French North Africa. Attached to aide-mémoire was chart prepared US EUCOM indicating peace and war-time breakdown as set forth JCS paper.
Although Koenig’s staff had been previously advised purpose my visit, he was not familiar with details of matter and merely skimmed documents I gave him. I limited my comments to noting that Navy requirements were in implementation NATO infrastructure program and Air Force requirements were for air defense North Africa and [Page 645] Western Mediterranean area. Koenig stated problem North African military facilities must be settled soon and he was presenting to High Council National Defense at its next meeting which will be before end of month the “package” of North African military requirements which has been prepared in ministry defense.
Today Embassy officer left with Boegner, Chief FonOff Service Des Pactes, copy aide-mémoire and attachment. Boegner noted that U.S. now officially requesting at highest level French Govt’s agreement in principle to U.S. facilities North Africa. Stated heretofore that discussions at service-to-service level had been exploratory only and admitted that French military had been under formal instructions to make no comment on requests presented by their American counterparts. Boegner stated matter would be given urgent consideration and noted that decision would be important and perhaps difficult to arrive at due to what he termed large number personnel we desire stationed at these facilities.
While aide-mémoire mentions U.S. desires re site surveys I did not stress this point with Koenig. Embassy officer Drew Boegner’s attention to this request and expressed hope that early agreement in principle might be obtained so that joint surveys may begin soonest. Boegner merely indicated that agreement in principle would of course have to precede such surveys.3
Copies being sent Satterthwaite and Reinhardt.
- Not printed; it stated that U.S. military requirements for French North Africa had been approved by the JCS and were being transmitted to the Embassy. The Embassy was requested to seek French agreement in principle to negotiate. (711.56371A/6–1154)↩
- A copy was transmitted to the Department as an enclosure to despatch 270 from Paris.↩
- Paris telegram 427 from Paris, July 30, said the Embassy had been notified by the Foreign Ministry that the aide-mémoire on military requirements was being considered, and the Embassy should not expect a decision for 3 or 4 weeks. (711.56371A/7–3054)↩