396.1 GE/5–354
The French Minister for Foreign Affairs (Bidault) to the Secretary of State1
I was very greatly touched by the message which you took the trouble to transmit to me before leaving Geneva, and also by your [Page 678] communication of the contents of the telegram sent to you by President Eisenhower. The comment which he makes on the statements he made at the time of his press conference constitutes a valuable restatement of the inexact reports given in the newspapers of the continent. I need not tell you, furthermore, that I share all the sentiments you express to me on the necessity of continued and trustful cooperation between our two Governments during this Geneva conference. I know that I can count on all your personal support in that respect. Our conversations of those last few days permitted me to set forth to you with full frankness the difficulties of our position. You have seen them for yourself, and it is therefore with a full knowledge of the facts that you will be able to guide your steps in Washington along a path that is in accord with the common interests of our two countries. No French Foreign Minister has the right at this time to disregard a reasonable chance of winning acceptance of a peaceful solution of the war in Indochina; but there is the no less pressing duty of considering the measures to be taken in case the powers of the Communist bloc should not accept any of our proposals, or should themselves offer wholly unacceptable ones. I have full confidence that you will be able to bring about an understanding in Washington of the various aspects of this complex and grievous question, the developments of which, far from keeping us apart, should be an additional cause for understanding and collaboration between our two countries.
- The text of this letter was transmitted to the Department of State in telegram Dulte 47, May 3, 1954. (Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 244)↩