800.0146/8–2243
Proposal by the U.S. Delegation
Québec Conference, 22 August 1943.
Statement on Liberated Areas
The Governments of the United States and United Kingdom, necessarily by reason of their military operations in enemy territory, must assume the major responsibility for the administration of enemy territories conquered by their forces in pursuance of the war against the Axis.
The Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, while continuing to exercise supreme military authority in liberated areas pending the defeat of the enemy, will be agreeable to the policy of each government and constituted authorities of the United Nations in their respective liberated countries proceeding with its function of maintaining law and order with such assistance by the Allied authorities as may be necessary, subject always to military requirements.
Conversations and arrangements with the governments of those countries have already been in progress for some time on these aspects of the mutual interests involved.