Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Vietnam, Volume I

311. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Department of State¹

New Delhi, March 10, 1956—11 p.m.

Secto 40. Vietnam.

(a) Secretary brought up matter of operation to salvage our equipment in South Vietnam. Nehru made notes but did not indicate position. Secretary expressed it as something we planned to do and hoped it would have approval of Indian Government and its representatives on ICC. Secretary gathers Nehru may communicate with us later.

(b) They also discussed in general position of ICC. Nehru said he concerned at attitude of Diem; that he thought Diem, having inherited French position, took it with all the liabilities including armistice obligations. Secretary said he did not think principle of inheritance applied this way since Diem had explicitly said he did not and would not accept armistice agreement. Nehru said that position of Commission becoming very difficult. He concerned in Laos balance of violation was against the Pathet-Laos, but said in Vietnam it was the other way. Secretary said he felt this not so; that while there might be few minor violations in south, there tremendous military build up in north contrary to armistice agreement.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751G.00/3–1056. Secret. Repeated for information to Saigon. Dulles was in New Delhi March 9 and 10 as part of his trip to nine Asian countries following the SEATO Council Meeting in Karachi. (Princeton library, Dulles Papers, Dulles’ Appointment Book)

   A report of these Dulles–Nehru discussions in the form of a memorandum of conversation, March 10, is in Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199.

   Briefing material for the Secretary’s discussions is ibid., FE Conference Files: Lot 60 D 514, Post-SEATO Trip, 1956.