751G.00/5–450: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
2096. I had lunch with Bidault today. He made following observations re Indochina:
We should disregard any newspaper reports or unauthorized statements that France intends to withdraw its troops from Indochina in case US does not take over major part of military expenses. He said that French Government is committed to defend Indochina within French Union against Communist attacks, and as long as he was head of government that obligation would be respected, regardless of what assistance was given. He added that obviously American aid in a massive degree would make the completion of task of consolidating Bao Dai’s position in Indochina much easier. He wants personally to discuss this matter with the Secretary when he arrives in Paris, but meanwhile wishes the Secretary to know that the determination of French Government to use all resources of France in making effective the independence of Indochina within French Union will be exercised.
I feel certain, in spite of what Bidault said on this occasion, the principal question that will be asked the Secretary in his conference with Schuman will be the amount of military assistance which US will provide for operations in Indochina.
If the conversations on Indochina are to be fruitful, I believe it would be highly advisable if the Secretary could be prepared to inform French when he is in Paris:1
- (1)
- What sums executive branch will be prepared to devote to this under existing appropriations;
- (2)
- What the executive branch will be prepared to recommend to Congress as a ceiling of appropriations in the next fiscal year for this purpose.
Even though French expectations will probably be disappointed, I feel that discussion of what maximum may be is unavoidable.
In this connection, I suggest that information contained Deptel 1974 May 3 (sent London and repeated Saigon, Djakarta, Moscow, New Delhi, and Bangkok)2 be communicated to Schuman by the [Page 794] Secretary in Paris and that it not be communicated to others until after Secretary’s departure.
Sent Department 2096 repeated priority London 589.