751G.00/12–2051: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France
top secret
Washington, December 20, 1951—8:15 p. m.
3613. In view volume and character intelligence reports foreshadowing massive Chi intervention IC in Dec or early Jan Dept believes it desirable to determine anew action Fr Govt plans to take in UN in such contingency. Fol are questions to which ans are useful:1 [Page 564]
- (a)
- What will Fr regard as criterion of Chi assault: appearance large number technicians and advisors, volunteers, or nothing less than invasion Tonkin by Chi armies?
- (b)
- Will case be brought to UN by Fr Union, or Chiefs of Assoc States?
- (c)
- What action will UN be called upon to take: declaration of act of aggression, call for UN troops, etc.?
- (d)
- If action proposed to SC is vetoed, do French propose to convoke GA?
- (e)
- From what quarters do French expect support for proposed action UN?
Sent to AmEmbassy Paris 3613; repeated to Am Embassy London 3003;2 repeated to AmLegation Saigon 835.3
Acheson
- Embassy officials transmitted the substance of the questions to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a memorandum of December 22, not printed. (Lot 58F53: Paris Embassy Files)↩
- An additional paragraph to the London message only read: “Pls inquire FonOff views problems raised foregoing.”↩
- An additional paragraph to the Saigon message only read: “Emb London to determine FonOff reaction to problems identified in Deptel to Paris. Ur comments appreciated but presume you agree it may be undesirable to interrogate Viet Govt at this time.”↩