DEMAND FOR POWERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 November 1943, Page 3

DEMAND FOR POWERS

MADE BY GENERAL GIRAUD FREE HAND IN MILITARY OPERATIONS RETENTION OF OFFICERS (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, November 14. General Giraud has .stipulated I’our conditions i'or his retention of the post of conunan-der-in-chief of the French armed forces, says the Algiers correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain. They are: 1. Adoption of a resolution by the National Committee of Liberation thanking him for leading the North African Government last year and expressing confidence in his future military leadership. 2. Complete freedom in directing the war operations. 3. No French officer to be examined by a purge commission without General Giraud’s consent. 4. No new French generals to be created without General Giraud’s consent. The first condition, according to General Giraud, has been fulfilled. The second means that he will not be required to inform General de Gaulle or the committee of contemplated military operations. The third will enable General Giraud to retain the officers whom he considers to be loyal and essential, and the fourth prevents de Gaullists from promoting anyone over- General Giraud’s head. General Giraud last night stated that he was confident the committee would comply with the conditions. A de Gaullist spokesman said that the committee had accepted the conditions but qualified some with the phrase “for the time being.” It is pointed out that many de Gaullists have been determined to purge certain army officers, one of whom they assert General Giraud is protecting. The Algiers correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says it is learnt that Mr A. Duff Cooper, who recently resigned from the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster, has been appointed British diplomatic representative to the French National Committee.