851G.00/1–2247: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Caffery ) to the Secretary of State
confidential
Paris
, January
22, 1947—7 p.m.
289. Careful reading of that portion of Ramadier’s speech yesterday re Indochina disclose certain points of interest:
- (1)
- Prime Minister was extremely firm and categoric on necessity of putting down present disorders and restoring order and security. “We must relieve our garrisons, re-establish essential communications and assure the security of the peoples who have taken refuge with us”.
- (2)
- He confirmed indications that France will not negotiate with present Vietnam Government in anticipation that new more moderate leaders will arise.
- (3)
- At such time France will consent to inclusion of Cochinchina in Vietnam and will not insist on Vietnam membership in French Union being indirect through membership in Indochinese federation. (When time conies for negotiations) “France will not fear, if the population desires it, the union of the three Annamite countries, nor will she refuse to accept the independence of the Vietnam in the framework of the French Union”.41
Department please repeat to Saigon as 2 from Paris.
Caffery
- Telegram 334, January 24, 9 p.m., from Paris reported that the words “and the Indo-Chinese Federation” were added to this quotation as published in the Journal Officiel of January 21 (851G.00/1–2447).↩