1942 F. D. Roosevelt
Statement on North African Policy
November 17, 1942
(Statement on Political Arrangements in North Africa
made by Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied Commander in Chief
in North Africa]
I have accepted General Eisenhower's political
arrangements made for the time being in Northern and
Western Africa.
I thoroughly understand and approve the feeling in
the United States and Great Britain and among all the
other United Nations that in view of the history of the
past two years no permanent arrangement should be made
with Admiral Darlan. People in the United Nations
likewise would never understand the recognition of a
reconstituting of the Vichy Government in France or in
any French territory.
We are opposed to Frenchmen who support Hitler and
the Axis. No one in our Army has any authority to
discuss the future Government of France and the French
Empire.
The future French Government will be established-not
by any individual in metropolitan France or overseas-but
by the French people themselves after they have been set
free by the victory of the United Nations.
The present temporary arrangement in North and West
Africa is only a temporary expedient, justified solely
by the stress of battle.
The present temporary arrangement has accomplished
two military objectives. The first was to save American
and British lives on the one hand, and French lives on
the other hand.
The second was the vital factor of time. The
temporary arrangement has made it possible to avoid a
"mopping up" period in Algiers and Morocco which might
have taken a month or two to consummate. Such a period
would have delayed the concentration for the attack from
the West on Tunis, and we hope on Tripoli.
Every day of delay in the current operation would
have enabled the Germans and Italians to build up a
strong resistance, to dig in and make a huge operation
on our part essential before we could win. Here again,
many more lives will be saved under the present speedy
offensive, than if we had had to delay it for a month or
more.
It will also be noted that French troops, under the
command of General Giraud, have already been in action
against the enemy in Tunisia, fighting by the side of
American and British soldiers for the liberation of
their country.
Admiral Darlan's proclamation assisted in making a
"mopping up" period unnecessary. Temporary arrangements
made with Admiral Darlan apply, without exception, to
the current local situation only.
I have requested the liberation of all persons in
Northern Africa who had been imprisoned because they
opposed the efforts of the Nazis to dominate the world,
and I have asked for the abrogation of all laws and
decrees inspired by Nazi Governments or Nazi idealogies.
Reports indicate that the French of North Africa are
subordinating all political questions to the formation
of a common front against the common enemy.
Source: Department of State Bulletin, Vol VII, p.935
