851G.00/2–747: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Caffery ) to the Secretary of State
priority
573. Baudet today confirmed to us that, as reported in press, local representatives of Vietnam yesterday transmitted unofficially to French Government another peace offer, somewhat similar in content to that received in December. He said principal points in document Were substantially as follows: immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts; appointment of armistice commissions to insure ceasefire order is observed; withdrawal of all troops to positions previously defined by Franco-Vietnamese accords of March 6 and April 3, 1946; immediate halt to all reinforcements for French troops in Indo-China; Government of Ho Chi-minh to be only representative of Vietnam during negotiations; negotiations to be based on previously signed agreements between France and Vietnam; Moutet to proceed at early, date to Indo-China to reach agreement in principle with Ho Chi-minh regarding basis for negotiations, which should be based on recognition of political and territorial integrity of Vietnam Republic within framework of French Union.
Baudet did not indicate what French position would be With respect to individual points of Vietnamese message but indicated French Government “might agree to enter into discussions with Vietnamese”.