851G.00/10–1747: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate at Hanoi
78. Following is Embassy Paris comments on Ministry of Overseas France communiqué on Indochina Oct 17:17
“As far as the Embassy is aware the word ‘independence’ has not previously been used in any official communiqué dealing with the future [Page 145] Vietnam Government. In commenting on this, Baudet, Chief of the Far Eastern Division of the Foreign Office, pointed out that in the context the word does not indicate that France is prepared to give independence to the Vietnam at this time. But he agreed that the use of the word was deliberate and indicated a more liberal attitude on the part of the Ministry of Overseas France which would make more easy negotiations with the numerous non-Communist nationalist groups which include independence in their program.”
- Telegram 4480, October 17, 2 p.m., not printed.↩