Editorial Note
On December 23, 1950, representatives of the United States, France, Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia signed an agreement for mutual defense assistance in Indochina. This agreement was the culmination of negotiations which began at Saigon on August 2 when the United States Legation presented a draft agreement to officials of the other States (text transmitted in despatch No. 59 from Saigon. August 3, not printed, 751G.5 MAP/8–350). After informal discussions at Saigon and Paris, the first plenary meeting looking toward a final agreement occurred at Saigon on October 4 with Minister Heath representing the United States.
Subsequent negotiations included an exchange of letters by France and the United States in Paris on November 22 in which France provided assurances of cooperation in efforts to control the export of war potential materials and equipment from Indochina (texts transmitted in despatch No. 1334 from Paris, November 24, not printed, 751G.5 MAP/11–2450).
The multilateral agreement in its final form was signed at Saigon by Minister Heath, General de Lattre de Tassigny, Vietnamese Premier Tran Van Huu, Voeun Sai (Cambodian Defense Minister), and Kou Vorabang (Laotian Minister of Defense), on December 23. The agreement entered into force upon signature. For text, see United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (UST), 1952, volume 3 (part 2), pages 2756–2799.