Anglo-French Declaration - Wikipedia

ANGLO-FRENCH DECLARATION
November 7, 1918

Translation given by the British government in Command Paper

No. 5974 of 16 March 1939[edit]

The object aimed at by France and Great Britain in prosecuting in the

East the War let loose by the ambition of Germany is the complete and
definite emancipation of the peoples so long oppressed by the Turks and
the establishment of national governments and administrations deriving
their authority from the initiative and free choice of the indigenous
populations.

In order to carry out these intentions France and Great Britain are at
one in encouraging and assisting the establishment of indigenous
Governments and administrations in Syria and, Mesopotamia, now
liberated by the Allies, and in the territories the liberation of which they
are engaged in securing and recognising these as soon as they are
actually established.

Far from wishing to impose on the populations of these regions any

particular institutions they are only concerned to ensure by their support
and by adequate assistance the regular working of Governments and
administrations freely chosen by the populations themselves. To secure
impartial and equal justice for all, to facilitate the economic development
of the country by inspiring and encouraging local initiative, to favour the
diffusion of education, to put an end to dissensions that have too long
been taken advantage of by Turkish policy, such is the policy which the
two Allied Governments uphold in the liberated territories. [1]

Translation given by Sir Abdur Rahman before the United

Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) in 1947[edit]

The goal envisaged by France and Great Britain in prosecuting in the

East the war set in train by German ambition is the complete and final
liberation of the peoples who have for so long been oppressed by the
Turks, and the setting up of national governments and ad-ministrations
that shall derive their authority from the free exercise of the initiative
and choice of the indigenous populations.

In pursuit of those intentions, France and Great Britain agree to further

and assist in the setting up of indigenous governments and
administrations in Syria and Mesopotamia, which have already been
liberated by the Allies, as well as in those territories which they have
been endeavouring to liberate, and to recognize them as soon as they
are actually set up.

Far from wishing to impose this or that system upon the populations of
those regions, their [i.e., France's and Great Britain's] only concern is to
offer such support and efficacious help as will ensure the smooth
working of the governments and administrations which those
populations will have elected of their own free will to have; to secure
impartial and equal justice for all; to facilitate the economic development
of the country by promoting and encouraging local initiative; to foster
the spread of education; and to put an end to the dissensions which
Turkish policy has for so long exploited. Such is the task which the two
Allied Powers wish to under-take in the liberated territories. [2]