Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎133r] (265/544)

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D
APPENDIX (A).
(E.C.-1769.)
EASTERN COMMITTEE.
A Conference took place at the Foreign Office to-day, at which were present:—
Lord Robert Cecil {Chairman).
Sir Eyre Crowe. The Irench Ambassador.
Major-General Thwaites, D M.I. M. de Fleuriau.
Sir Mark Sykes. M. Georges Picot.
Lieutenant-Colonel Gribbon.
I. On the proposition of Lord Robert Cecil, the following statement was agreed
upon, subject to the confirmation of the British and French Governments:—
In the areas of special French interest, as described in the Anglo-French
Agreement of 1916, which are or may be occupied by the Allied forces of the
Egyptian Expeditionary Force, the Commander-in-chief will recognise the repre
sentative of the French Government as his Chief Political Adviser. The functions
of the Chief Political Adviser will be as follows:—
1. Subject to the supreme authority of the Commander-in-chief, the Chief
Political Adviser will act as sole intermediary on political and administrative
questions between the Commander-in-chief and any Arab Government or Govern
ments, permanent or provisional, which may be set up in Area A, and recognised
under the terms of clause 1 of the Agreement of 1916.
Provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as denying to any person
the right of direct access to the Commander-in-chief, nor as giving the Chief
Political Adviser the right to attend military conferences or act as intermediary
on military questions between the Commander-in-chief or his staff and Commander
of Allied Arab military forces.
At the same time, it shall be understood that the Commander-in-chief shall
subsequently communicate to the Chief Political Adviser the substance of any official
conversation on non-military matters which may have passed directly between him
self and any person who would be entitled to approach him through the Chief
Political Adviser.
2. At the request of the Commander-in-chief, and subject to his supreme
authority, the Chief Political Adviser will be charged by the Commander-in-chief
with the establishment of such provisional civil administration in the towns of the
Syrian littoral situated in the Blue area, and in the Blue area in general, as may be
necessary for the maintenance of order and the facilitating of military operations.
3. Subject to the approval of the Commander-in-chief, the Chief Political
Adviser will provide:—
{a.) Staff in order to enable him to perform his functions as intermediary as
described in clause 1 of this paper.
(F) Such European advisory staff and assistants as the Arab Government or
Governments set up in Area A may require under clause 1 of the Anglo-
French Agreement of 1916.
(c.) Such versonnel as may be necessary for civil duties in the littoral towns or
other parts of the Blue area.
Provided that these officers will hold their posts under the supreme authority
of the Commander-in-chief, who is empowered to require the Chief Political
Adviser to replace any advisory, administrative, or liaison officer on grounds of com
petence, conduct, or discipline.
4. The Chief Political Adviser will be responsible to the Commander-in-chief
for political relations in Area A, and for political relations and provisional civil
administration in the Blue area.
5. The above arrangement shall remain in force until such time as the military
situation justifies reconsideration of the question of civil administration and
political relations.