851G.01/6–2349: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
61. Official announcement by Buu Loc confirms following developments: Xuan1 to be president of privy or high council (Haut Conseil Privé) being set up by Bao Dai. Body will be comprised of about ten members representing various groups including Catholics, Caodaists, Protestants, ethnic minorities, etc. Will have consultative powers, a sort of Senate paralleling the future government composed principally of technicians.
Future government will be headed by Bao Dai himself and include six ministries: Interior, Foreign Affairs, Economy and Finance, National Defense, Justice, Public Works and Planning. In addition there will be several under secretariats of state which may be transformed into ministries following the rallying of leaders still in the resistance. Seats will also be reserved among the nineteen allotted to Vietnam in the Assembly of French Union for members rallying from the resistance.
[Page 64]Finally Prince announced impending resignation south Vietnam government, retention of Huu as governor and formation of committee to study March 8 accords and formulate modalities of implementation.
Sent Department 61, repeated Paris, pouched Saigon.
- General Xuan’s government had resigned as of June 20 but had been requested by Bao Dai to carry on until formation of a new cabinet. On July 1 Bao Dai issued a proclamation naming General Xuan as his deputy and Minister of National Defense and added: “As soon as the people are in a position to express their will freely, the accords of March 8, signed in Paris with President Auriol, will be submitted to them for their approval, and the people will decide the political nature of the state.” (851G.01/7–749)↩