851G.00/5–747: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Hanoi (O’Sullivan) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 10—10:18 a.m.]
154. Remytel 141, April 26,95 following is believed to be text letter delivered April 25 by International Red Cross representative to De Pereyra:96
“Official message to the French Government:
Vietnam is fighting for its unity and its independence. France, President Ramadier has declared, is not opposed to this unity and independence.
The interest of the two peoples lies in collaborating fraternally within the French Union, an association of free peoples ‘who understand and love one another’.
If the war is continued, it can only increase hatred, entail new sacrifices in human lives, make the situation of French enterprises and the economy of Vietnam worse, without solving the problem of Franco-Vietnamese relations.
The French Government, by the appointment of the new High Commissioner of France in Indochina, appears to have shown its desire to [Page 95] direct its policy with respect to Vietnam into a new channel, worthy of the New France.
Persuaded that the motion of the National Council of the S.F.I.O. of March 21, 1947 ‘not to let an opportunity pass to enter into negotiations with Vietnam’ expresses not only the sentiments of the French Socialists but also those of all the people of France; to prove Vietnam’s sincere devotion to peace and its friendship for the people of France; the Vietnamese Government proposes to the French Government the immediate cessation of hostilities and the opening of negotiations with a view to ‘peaceful settlement of the conflict’.
Dated Hanoi, April 18, 1947, signed Hoang Minh Giam, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Democratic Republic Vietnam.”