751G.00/8–2954: Telegram
The Ambassador in Vietnam (Heath) to the Department of State
795. Repeated information Paris 267, Hanoi 217. Sainteny called on me last night. He leaves today for a week in Hanoi where he will take sort of census of French commercial colony’s needs and intentions and then return to Paris via Saigon to report to Mendes-France. He [Page 1995] will not see Ho Chi-Minh during this first visit. He described his mission as purely consular to protect French commercial and cultural interests in Tonkin.
I told him of our intention to maintain our consulate there and he said he was glad to hear it. Sainteny said he had no idea what attitude of Viet Minh would be toward foreign consulates but would pass on to Cameron anything he picked up. His own belief was that at beginning Viet Minh would raise no difficulties about consulates but thought it likely Viet Minh might later demand reciprocal rights to open “consulates” in US and England.
Sainteny is attractive, intelligent man who gives impression that he is an idealist and enthusiast. General Ely fears and I am inclined to share his fears, that after a time Sainteny will weary of an inactive consular role and endeavor to promote policy of rapprochement or influencing Viet Minh. Ely tells me he would be much happier if Paris had sent a “stupid type of consular officer” rather than man of Sainteny’s active stripe.