Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State Joseph Grew to President Harry S. Truman, Current Foreign Developments

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TOP SUCRET DECLASSIFIED E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dapt. of State letter, Aug. 10, 1972 NARS Date 9-18-75 May 14, 1945 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Current Foreim Develomments FRENCH ZONE OF OCCUPATION Winant has informed Massigli of the proposed French zone to be formed out of the American occupation zone. Massigli's initial reaction was favorable. In presenting the description of the areas to the French, Winant stressed American need for Frankfurt and Kassel, the necessity for transit facilities to Low Countries ports and Bremen, the need for access to and use of the Rhine River and our desire for transit rights across the proposed French zone. FORMER FRENCH PRINTERS TO BE OFFERED PLACI'S IN FRENCH GOVERNMENT. It is reliably reported that de Gaulle intends to offer posts 8.3 Ministers of State to Herriot, Blum and Reynaud. Herriot would be a Special Adviser on Foreign Policy, Blum on Internal Affairs end Reynaud on Financial and Economic Matters. De Gaulle believes that this step would be interpreted by the French people as a broadening of the base of the government. An official French source believes that the Russians will attempt to place Herriot in opposition to de Gaulle. The same source states that de Gaulle is now preparing to move France into the Anglo- American orbit. Disposition - the SERVICE