FIRST IMPRESSIONS: 'A self-appointed Joan of Arc': F D Roosevelt on Charles de Gaulle

Catriona Luke
Tuesday 11 January 1994 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Casablanca Conference, convened by Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt and supported by their respective aides and military chiefs, took place 12-23 January 1943 to determine global allied strategy, writes Catriona Luke. Stalin was invited but declined; De Gaulle, however, put in a fulsome appearance. At the final press conference Churchill and Roosevelt issued a joint statement for 'unconditional surrender' of Germany, Italy and Japan. De Gaulle gave his own version of the conference which infuriated Roosevelt: 'We have confirmed our complete agreement on the goal to be attained, which is the liberation of France . . . This goal will be attained by the union in the war of all Frenchmen, fighting side by side with all their allies.'

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in