611.51/11–1954: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Vietnam1
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2046. For General Collins. While we will cable you full summary our talks with Mendes-France on Indochina,2 we want to send you immediate report of where we stand now with French on question basic US–French relationships in IC, particularly with respect your draft minute on training.3
Mendes-France made clear that French are strongly opposed to concept set forth paras 3, 4, and 5 of your draft minute, particularly re US assuming complete charge of training and replacing French personnel and influence. While objecting to replacement French personnel, French at same time attempted to establish for the record that primary responsibility for policy in FE including IC rested with US.
We do not wish to be saddled with full responsibility for what happens in Vietnam because prospective developments there are very dubious. Furthermore, it seems clear that if Vietnam is to be saved it will require full French cooperation. Our feeling is that if we force them and if they finally agree to accepting replacement French personnel (which we do not believe they are willing to do) it would be only a nominal agreement which would create serious difficulties for us with the French and saddle us with the full burden.
With above factors in mind it was agreed to refer draft minute back to you and General Ely to see if you both can come up with agreed recommendation. Mendes-France said Paris would back whatever you both agree to. For reasons stated above it is important any agreement reached not imply that we have primary responsibility for saving free Vietnam.