1. Reference your No. 467 of 28th January regarding Australian
representation on your Headquarters. [2]

2. As stated to the Dominions Office in cablegram No. 65 [3], the
Commonwealth Government considers, in view of the Australian
naval, military and air forces in the A.B.D.A. Area and the vital
relation of operations in that area to the Anzac Area, that better
representation should have been offered to Australia than the post
of Deputy of the Administrative Branch or the other alternatives
suggested in your cablegram under notice.

3. For the reasons stated in paragraph 2 and as your staff has
been constituted, it is considered that the G.O.C., A.I.F. [4],
should have the following status in your area:-

(i) The principles governing the control and administration of the
A.I.F. referred to in a separate cablegram [5] require that there
should be one supreme Australian authority in command of the
A.I.F. with the same powers and authority as the G.O.C., A.I.F.

(Middle East). [6]

(ii) Having in view the very considerable Australian contribution
to fighting resources under your command, the G.O.C., A.I.F.,
should be accorded the right of direct access to you and senior
officers your staff and organisation on all proposals and plans,
especially those affecting A.I.F., in order to provide effective
Australian representation and suitable status for the G.O.C.,
A.I.F. (A.B.D.A. Area). This would entail the fullest consultation
in regard to all operational, administrative and other plans and
proposals insofar as they affect A.I.F.

CURTIN