Paris Protocols

The Paris Protocols was an agreement between Nazi Germany and Vichy France negotiated (but never ratified) in May 1941. Admiral François Darlan represented the French and the German ambassador to France, Otto Abetz, represented the Germans. The Paris Protocols granted the Germans military facilities in Syria, Tunisia, and French West Africa. In exchange, the French received reduced occupation costs (down to 15 million Reichsmarks a day from 20 million), return of some 6,800 French experts from prisoner-of-war camps, and ease on the restrictions between "occupied France" and "unoccupied France."

The Paris Protocols are considerred the highpoint of Vichy French collaboration with the Nazis. But Darlan wanted still better terms and ultimately the protocols lapsed and they were never ratified.

See also

• Syria-Lebanon Campaign

References

• Keegan, John, The Oxford Companion to World War II