FRENCH UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25135, 28 January 1943, Page 5

FRENCH UNITY

SEEKING SOLID BASIS OUTCOME OF CONFERENCE (Rec. 8 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 27. General de Gaulle, leader of the Fighting French, and General Giraud, High Commissioner in French North Africa, made the following joint statement at the conclusion of their first conference in French North Africa:— “We have met. We have talked, and we have registered entire agreement on the end to be achieved, which is the liberation of France and the triumph of human liberties by total defeat of the enemy. This end will be attained by the union in the war of all Frenchmen fighting side by side with all their Allies.” On his return to London General de Gaulle made the following statement: —“I was very honoured' and happy to meet President Roosevelt in Africa. His friendship for France is a particularly comforting factor in the struggle the French people are waging against the enemy within and without their own territory. It was an equal satisfaction for me to be able to renew my conversations on this occasion with Mr Churchill.” The French National Committee issued the following statement:—“ On the occasion of the inter-Allied conference in Africa, General de Gaulle, accompanied by General Catroux and Admiral d’Argenlieu, met. General Giraud in French North Africa. With a view to assuring unification of the war efforts of the empire and of the forces on land, sea, and in the air, it was decided that the necessary, liaisons should be established immediately. Moreover, in the course of the conversations a preliminary examination was made of the condition? under which the French effort in the war of liberation could be developed, taking into account the new situation in French North and West Africa The interchanges of views on this subject will be continued. The complete union of the empire and all the forces in conjunction with the movement of resistance in France, to be accomplished under conditions consonant with the dignity of the French people, remains the immutable aim of General de Gaulle and the National Committee.”