BRITISH ASSURANCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20636, 16 August 1941, Page 5

BRITISH ASSURANCE

NO INTEREST IN SYRIA PLEDGE BY FREE FRENCH (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 15. The Minister of State in the Middle East, Captain Oliver Lyttelton, has written to General de Gaulle, Leader of the Free French Forces, as follows: “At the conclusion of our talk to-day, 1 am happy to repeat to you the assurance that Britain has no interest in Syria and Lebanon, except to win the war. “We have no desire to encroach in any way upon the position of France. Loth n ree France and Britain are pledged to the independence of Syria and Lebanon. “When this essential step has been taken and, without prejudice, we freely admit that France should have a predominant, position in Syria arm Lebanon over any other European Power. It is in this spirit that we nave always acted. You will have seen the recent utterances of Mr. Winston Churchill in this sense. I am glad to reaffirm them now to our friends and allies who have our full sympathy and support. On our side, 1 am happy again to receive your assurances of the determination of Free France, as the friend and ally of Britain and in accordance with the agreements and declarations which you have already made, to pursue relentlessly to the finish the war against the common enemy.

Complete Understanding: “I am happy that we snould thus reaffirm complete understanding and agreement.” General de Gaulle replied: ‘I have received the letter you were so kind enough to send me following our interview to-day. lam happy to take note of your renewed assurances regarding the disinteredness of Britain in Syria and Lebanon, and the fact that Britain admits, as a basic principle, the pre-eminent and privileged position of France, when these shall have attained independence in conformity with the undertaking which Free France has taken in regard to them. “I take this opportunity of repeating that Free France, that is to say, France, is resolved to pursue the war at the side of Britain, her friend and ally, until the attainment of complete victory against the common enemy.”