Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

751G.00/5–1354: Telegram

No. 636
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State¹

top secret
niact

Paris, May 13, 1954—11 a.m.

4343. Limit distribution. Situation in French Cabinet and particularly in Parliament has deteriorated considerably in last few days. Knowledge of serious military danger in delta is just becoming public and seems to be increasing desire for peace at any price. Even if Laniel government should survive confidence vote today, which is by no means certain, I feel that the pressure to accept Viet Minh terms as basis of negotiation will become irresistible unless some new element enters situation. It is obvious that Cabinet and Parliament do not now support strong position so far taken by Bidault at Geneva. Only new element which I can conceive of that could change present course of events would be public declaration and clarification of US position along lines of numbered paragraph 2 of Deptel 4023.² I would very much hope that question of specific right of withdrawal from French Union which does not seem important to Vietnamese could be omitted from statement as it would push strongest supporters of continued French action toward defeatist attitude.

It is very possible however that time is already too late for such action on our part and that even if it should be taken French Government would be forced by Parliament to accept Viet Minh armistice terms. However, public statement along these lines by US would have great advantage of clarifying to French opinion, and presumably to rest of world, US position which is not at all understood here. I do not feel that governmental discussions along lines requested by Bonnet in Deptel 4048³ would have necessary impact unless they were accompanied by public announcement along lines previously indicated.

At suggestion of Under Secretary I am planning fly Geneva late this afternoon, returning Paris early tomorrow afternoon.

Dillon

1. Repeated to Geneva and Saigon eyes only McClintock.
2. For the text of this telegram, dated May 11, which concerned the internationalization of the war in Indochina, see vol. xiii, Part 2, p. 1534.
3. This telegram summarized a conversation between Dulles and Bonnet on May 12 concerning the initiation of U.S.–French meetings over the matter of internationalizing the war in Indochina. For the memorandum of this conversation, see vol. xiii, Part 2, p. 1540.