751G.00/6–1750: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
2938. I took Heath1 to call on President Auriol yesterday.
Auriol spoke of importance of French Union saying he had encountered great difficulties in getting Parliamentary implementation of it even amongst his own party, the Socialists, as in case of retrocession of French sovereignty over Cochin-China. Shortly Auriol would meet with Prime Ministers of three associated states and would talk frankly with theim about their relationships within French Union. Obviously their membership in French Union involved certain restriction of sovereignty in component states in matters of foreign affairs, especially under circumstances now prevailing in Indochina. However, they will enjoy full Sovereignty as regards internal management of their countries as rapidly as they can take over their responsibilities. In this connection he stated that he attached great importance to increased recruitment and training of native army and withdrawal of French troops as quickly as practicable.
He expressed some disappointment at actions or rather inaction of Bao Dai who is coming shortly to France, a trip of which Auriol disapproves. He hoped Bao Dai would decide to return from France within a short time to Indochina taking with him the Empress and their children which would display publicly Bao Dai’s confidence in improvement of conditions in his kingdom. He expressed hope that Mr. Heath, whom he assured of full cooperation of French government would counsel Bao Dai to display leadership and activity appropriate to difficult situation of Vietnam.
Department pass Saigon. Sent Department 2938, repeated information priority Saigon 143.
- Donald R. Heath, officially appointed Minister to Viet-Nam, Laos, and Cambodia on June 29, was presently in Paris en route to Saigon.↩