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Coll 6/90 'Syria: Anglo-French relations in the Near East. French policy in Syria.' [‎69r] (137/169)

The record is made up of 1 file (83 folios). It was created in 23 Mar 1939-29 May 1947. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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7 0 His Majesty’s Government therefore feel that a
point has been reached where they are entitled, on grounds
of high policy and in view of the close friendship between
the two Governments, to make their position clear to the
French Government e
8 o I request therefore that Your Excellency will,
unless you see strong objection, seek an interview with the
French Minister for Foreign Affairs and speak to him on the
following lines:
9 0 You should begin by saying that you have been
instructed to raise with him a question closely affecting
the interests of the two countries, that is to say their
joint position in the Middle East,, In raising this
question His Majesty*s Government desire to make it clear
at the outset that whatever policy the French Government
may hereafter pursue in the Middle East, and particularly
in the Republic of Syria, His Majesty’s Government will
loyally support them to the best of their ability, even
though it may not be the policy which they think that they
themselves would be likely to pursue in similar
circumstances^ His Majesty’s Government say this because
they recognise that the fates of the two countries are
bound up together and their co-operation in any part of the
world cannot and must not be affected by divergencies of
view on even important issues 0 They hope that this
unreserved assurance of co-operation will be taken as
proof, were proof needed, that, in making the suggestions
which follow, His Majesty’s Government are concerned for
French interests quite as much as for their own 0
10o You should then say that His Majesty’s Government
understand

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Content

This file concerns Anglo-French relations in the near East, particularly relating to French policy in Syria.

Much of the correspondence relates to British efforts to obtain information from the French Government regarding the latter's future policy in Syria. The correspondence includes discussion of the following:

  • British concerns in 1939 regarding public support in Iraq for the Syrian Nationalist cause.
  • Differences between the French Mandate in Syria and the British Mandate in Palestine.
  • British misgivings regarding the French Government's decision not to proceed with the ratification of the treaty between France and Syria (the Franco-Syrian Treaty of Independence), which was concluded in 1936 and amended in 1938.
  • The reception given to King Faisal II of Iraq upon his visit to Damascus in July 1939.
  • Reactions in the Iraqi press to the suspension of the Syrian Constitution in July 1939.
  • The suspension of the Lebanese Constitution and the dissolution of its Parliament in September 1939, reported as a 'wartime measure'.
  • An increase in the number of French forces in Syria in September 1939.
  • The French Government's concerns in 1946 regarding the activities of the Arab League in North Africa.

The file features the following principal correspondents: His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris (Eric Phipps, succeeded by Ronald Ian Campbell); His Majesty's Ambassador in Bagdad [Baghdad] (Basil Newton); the British Consul, Beirut (Godfrey Thomas Havard); officials of the Foreign Office.

The date range of the file is 1939-47; however, with the exception of three items dating from 1946-47, all of the correspondence dates from 1939.

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 2).

Extent and format
1 file (83 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 84; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

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English in Latin script
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Coll 6/90 'Syria: Anglo-French relations in the Near East. French policy in Syria.' [‎69r] (137/169), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2162, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100043035211.0x00008c> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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