Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VI

851g.00/2–348: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Saigon

secret

Washington, February 3, 1948—7 p. m.

21. Mil Attaché Bangkok¹ reports Pham Ngoc Thach, one of Ho Chi Minh’s² chief lieutenants, in course recent visit (1) said he departing for India 29 Jan with petition signed by Ho Chi Minh requesting UN intervention (2) confirmed suspicion previously voiced by Amer correspondent of imminent offensive which certain involve fighting in city Saigon.

Sent Saigon as 21; rptd New Delhi as 79. Saigon repeat Hanoi.

Marshall

1. Col. Reginald F. C. Vance.
2. President of the Provisional Government of Vietnam Democratic Republic.