Interim Agreement Re Tangier

Northern Advocate, 27 February 1941, Page 6

Interim Agreement Re Tangier

[British Official Wireless] (Received 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 26.

Pending the conclusion of a final settlement and without prejudice to the rights of the British Government and to those of third parties under international instruments, a provisional arrangement has been made as a result of a discussion between the British Ambassador to. Madrid and the Spanish Government safeguarding British rights and interests in the International Zone at Tangier. During the Madrid discussions, in which the British consul-general at Tangier took part, the delegation of British and Spanish traders at Tangier was consulted.

Officials Compensated,

In • announcing this result in the House of Commons, Mr. Butler said that British traders were well satisfied with their reception at Madrid and with the assurances given by the Spanish Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Industry and Commerce. Mr. Butler added that arrangements for the guarantee continued the functioning of existing British institutions and of the British press.

British officials of the international administration who had been displaced will be fully compensated for their loss of office.

A special economic and financial regime will be applied in Tangier. Generally the British Government recognised the special interest of the Spanish Government in the zone and also that it was not possible at the moment for signatories to relevant international instruments to enter into negotiations.

Rights Reserved.

Thus the British Government would maintain its protest .against the original action of the Spanish Government and had reserved its right under the treaties in force. The Spanish Government similarly had reserved its position.

Mr Butler added that acceptance of the arrangement was in the spirit of the statement made on December 19 on behalf of the Government, that it was clearly in the interests of independent Spain ,and of the United Kingdom that there should be co-operation between the two Governments, but that such co-operation equally and clearly depended on the readiness of both parties to make ,a contribution to it.