FRENCH UNITY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23945, 12 May 1943, Page 3

FRENCH UNITY

PROGRESS REPORTED IN NEGOTIATIONS FUNCTIONS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Roc. 7.20 p.m.) LONDON. May 10. The Algiers radio reported that General Giraud had accepted proposals from General Catroux under which General Giraud and General dc Gaulle in turn will preside over a French Executive Committee which will have power to decide all essential matters until France is liberated. The committee will then be replaced by a provisional council. A national election is to be held when all war prisoners and deported workers have returned to France. The Algiers radio also says that General Giraud has invited General de Gaulle to meet him either at Biskra in Algeria or at Marrakesh in Morocco. General Giraud, in an annex to his letter to General de Gaulle last month, said: “We shall preside in turn over meetings of the committee and the council. There is no question of a triumvirate. On the contrary, our responsibilities will be merged in the collective responsibility of the committee and the council. We shall sign decrees together, and we shall participate on the same level as other members in the deliberations and decisions of the two bodies.” Referring to relations between the council and the future provisional Government, the annex goes on: "A distinction must be maintained between the council, having its origin in necessity, and the provisional Government resulting from the laws of France. The council will represent the national effort, and will continue to depend for the liberation of France on American and British assistance. Liberated France, represented by persons accredited by the provisional Government, will have a historical place equal to that of England and the United States.” General Giraud emphasises that the abolition of Vichy laws must be complete, and that totalitarian associations should be suppressed or prohibited. The annex was issued by the British Ministry of Information at the request of General Giraud’s French liaison mission in London.

CONFERENCE AT CAIRO

BRITISH COMMANDERS AND ADMINISTRATORS (8.0. W.) RUGBY, May 10. A comprehensive gathering of British commanders and administrators from the whole of the Middle East area is announced from Cairo. This important council, coming at such a moment, has caused great interest in' London. The Russian and African successes have removed the threat from the Middle East, which now, under the security of British arms and British leadership, is able to lend the weight of its resources to the general offensive for the destruction of the aggressors.