851G.00/12–447: Telegram

The Consul at Saigon (Reed) to the Secretary of State

confidential

400. Provisional Deliberative Committee Annam on 24 November adopted resolution asking Bao Dai appoint liaison committee for three Kys which will study possibility convening Nationalist Congress and, with reference Xuan’s proposal Dalat Conference, resolution states Bao Dai only person who should take initiative in such matter. Xuan’s plan has evidently inspired various elements with idea uniting various political elements to study situation, make suggestions but any idea of strictly Nationalist Conference without Ho representation can hardly reach satisfactory overall settlement nor any conference which insists unreservedly that Bao Dai come back as emperor as many want republic.

Reed